Interstate drug trafficking is the illegal import of unlawful controlled substances– such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs– by means of the interstate system. Interstates have consistently been essential for the crime of drug trafficking, as criminals play a menacing game of cat and mouse with law enforcement. What is harmful to interstate drug traffickers is the many good reasons they can be pulled over: minor traffic violations, such as speeding, driving too slow, driving with a crack in the windshield, or a taillight out. Law enforcement has also been identified for employing illegal approaches like racial and out of state profiling, making interstate drug trafficking all the more perilous.
Once a law enforcement officer has you pulled over if the motor vehicle seems to be damaged (the alteration of panels, screws, or interior parts) for smuggling reasons, they will almost always request for a better look at of the car. If you don’t understand your civil liberties and give in, then a drug bust may be underway and before you know it another law enforcement team member is on site with a drug-sniffing canine. Essentially, you have the right to privacy and deny consent, and anyone stopped under these pretenses should just present their driver’s license and registration details. You do not need to answer their concerns if you do not wish to.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Penalties
Interstate drug trafficking penalties following a conviction for a felony state or federal drug trafficking charge will likely lead to very severe consequences, like a huge fine or a mandatory prison sentence. Possession of more than 4 pounds of marijuana is a Class 4 felony which carries a minimum sentence of 1 year, a maximum sentence of 3.75 years, and a minimum fine of $1000 or a fine to deplete the proceeds of the drug offense. Possession of ecstasy is considered a class 1 misdemeanor that carries a maximum of 6 months in jail with fines of up to $2,5000. If prosecutors can validate you intended to distribute a controlled substance, your punishments could be much more severe.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Defense
Interstate drug trafficking defense lawyers can question the issuance and enactment of search warrants to fight improperly collected evidence, and can argue illegal search warrants and uncover police mistakes committed during the process. When the evidence is piling against you, attorneys can look into sentencing options and essentially reach an agreement with the prosecution. In federal drug trafficking cases, where sentences are far more serious, there may be the option to check out a substance abuse program for the accused in order to set aside conviction and sentencing.
Interstate Drug Trafficking Lawyer
The pre-file stage of an interstate drug trafficking case is the most detrimental for the accused. It is necessary that you call and work with a lawyer quickly after your arrest because police and prosecutors will move swiftly and their inspection will be unrelenting in getting you to incriminate yourself so they are able to put you behind bars. Get in touch with a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can look at all plausible results of the case and speak knowingly on your behalf, to guarantee you are not taken advantage of and your civil rights stepped on.
