How Can You Fight Drug Trafficking Charges?

16 July 2018
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If you have been charged with drug trafficking, you are fighting back against serious allegations. Depending on your state, drug trafficking comes with harsh consequences. You need to protect your rights with legal counsel.

If you are facing drug trafficking charges, you are up against a lot. This guide will help you understand the charges against you and your potential defenses.

The Crime of Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a charge considered for individuals who knowingly sell, manufacture, or deliver drugs, typically those part of schedule I or II. Generally, drug trafficking refers to bringing drugs from one state or country into another.

Schedule I drugs are those considered to have a high potential for addiction and abuse. They include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, hallucinogens, PCP, derivatives of hallucinogenic substances, and others. These drugs typically have no accepted medical use and are not administered under the supervision of a medical professional. Schedule II drugs include those with a tendency for abuse with some accepted medical treatment. These drugs include methadone, oxycontin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and some ADHD medications.

Defense Against Drug Trafficking

Several types of defenses are possible for use against charges of drug trafficking. One possible defense against criminal charges of drug trafficking is that the arresting officers performed an illegal search and seizure of property. Police reports, videos, and witness statements can help bolster this kind of case.

You may also be able to prove in court that the drugs found were not yours. Perhaps you were driving a vehicle, but the car belonged to one of the passengers, for instance. While police officers are meant to be trusted members of society, some individuals act out of line. Entrapment and drug planting have happened in the past. Evidence could support this notion.

Finally, a criminal defense attorney may demonstrate that a crime lab shows the substance is not an illegal drug at all. Simply because a substance looks like a prescription medication does not mean that it actually is.

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing drug trafficking charges, you could be facing imprisonment, sometimes even a life sentence. You may also face hefty fines. All of this depends on your prior history with the law and the quantity of the drug involved.

A criminal defense attorney can help you fight back against drug trafficking charges. Even if you are unable to have the charges dismissed, you may be able to reduce your charges and any accompanying penalties. For more information, contact a law office like The Mitchell Law Firm.