Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney — State and Federal Drug Charges, Mandatory Minimums and Defenses

Drug trafficking charges carry some of the harshest penalties in American law. In fact, quantity alone can trigger years of mandatory prison time. A drug trafficking defense attorney focuses on the evidence, the quantity and the legal defenses that can change the outcome.

However, trafficking does not always mean large-scale dealing. In many states, possessing more than a set amount is enough to charge trafficking, even without evidence of sales. Therefore, understanding how your charge was calculated is crucial.

This guide explains state and federal trafficking charges, mandatory minimums, the federal safety valve and the most common defenses.

How trafficking charges are defined

Trafficking laws usually focus on quantity, intent and conduct. For example, possession with intent to distribute, manufacturing and transporting across lines can all qualify. Furthermore, many states set weight thresholds that automatically raise a possession charge to trafficking.

Federal charges often arise from investigations involving multiple people. As a result, conspiracy charges are common. In a conspiracy, a person may be held responsible for quantities handled by others in the agreement. Consequently, the drug weight attributed to you can be much larger than what you personally had.

Mandatory minimums and the safety valve

First, federal drug law sets mandatory minimum sentences based on drug type and quantity. For example, certain quantities trigger five- or ten-year minimum terms. Moreover, prior convictions can increase them.

However, the safety valve can allow a judge to sentence below the minimum. In addition, the First Step Act of 2018 expanded eligibility. Generally, the defendant must have a limited criminal history, no violence or weapons involvement, no leadership role and must provide truthful information about the offense.

Substantial assistance

Cooperation is another path. Specifically, prosecutors may file a motion for a reduced sentence when a defendant provides substantial assistance. However, cooperation carries real risks and requires careful advice.

Common defenses

Search and seizure issues are often central in drug cases. If police searched a car, home or phone without a valid warrant or exception, the evidence may be suppressed. Our motion preparation service drafts suppression motions.

Next, other defenses challenge possession and knowledge. For instance, drugs found in a shared car or apartment may not prove you knew about them. Similarly, lab testing and weight measurements can be challenged. In addition, entrapment may apply in some informant cases.

A Criminal Case Review identifies which defenses fit your facts.

Bail, immigration and next steps

Bail in trafficking cases can be high. Furthermore, federal cases often carry a presumption of detention. A bail reduction motion presents your ties and release plan.

Drug convictions also carry severe immigration consequences. Indeed, many trafficking offenses are aggravated felonies. Therefore, non-citizens should book a deportation consultation before any plea. Read our guide to crimigration. For lesser charges, a drug possession consultation may be the right start.

Our Drug Crime Defense services in the USA

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Drug Crime Defense services near you — every state we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

Drug Crime Defense help in California

We prepare drug crime defense documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Los Angeles, Drug-trafficking consultation in San Diego, Drug-trafficking consultation in San Francisco. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in California.

Drug Crime Defense help in Texas

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Houston, Drug-trafficking consultation in Dallas, Drug-trafficking consultation in San Antonio, Drug-trafficking consultation in Austin. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Texas.

Drug Crime Defense help in Florida

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Miami, Drug-trafficking consultation in Orlando, Drug-trafficking consultation in Tampa. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Florida.

Drug Crime Defense help in New York

We prepare drug crime defense documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in New York City, Drug-trafficking consultation in Brooklyn. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in New York.

Drug Crime Defense help in Illinois

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Chicago. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Illinois.

Drug Crime Defense help in Georgia

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Atlanta. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Georgia.

Drug Crime Defense help in Arizona

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Phoenix. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Arizona.

Drug Crime Defense help in Pennsylvania

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Philadelphia. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Pennsylvania.

Drug Crime Defense help in Washington

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Seattle. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Washington.

Drug Crime Defense help in Colorado

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Denver. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Colorado.

Drug Crime Defense help in Massachusetts

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Boston. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Massachusetts.

Drug Crime Defense help in Nevada

We prepare drug crime defense documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Las Vegas. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in Nevada.

Drug Crime Defense help in New Jersey

We prepare drug crime defense documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Newark. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in New Jersey.

Drug Crime Defense help in North Carolina

We prepare drug crime defense documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see Drug-trafficking consultation in Charlotte. Similarly, see Drug-possession consultation in North Carolina.

We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.

Drug-trafficking consultation in every state

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Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.