Criminal Lawyer for Any Type of Federal Drug Offense
The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, a complex legislation, classifies narcotics, marijuana, and other drugs into five Schedules.
It establishes requirements relating to drug manufacturing and drug distribution. This law also defines penalties for violations of the Act, which, depending on the type and quantity of the illegal drug involved, can lead to severe criminal penalties and a lengthy sentence in a federal prison.
Types of Federal Drug Crimes
Federal drug crime laws relate to the possession, sale, distribution, manufacturing, trafficking, and cultivation of many different forms of controlled substances. The types of drugs included under federal laws include marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine, and various types of prescription drugs include Oxycodone, Vicodin, and many more. Some of the types of drug crimes covered under the Controlled Substances Act include:
- Drug Trafficking – the manufacturing, distribution, or possession with the intent to distribute illegal narcotics. Usually involves drug transportation over state lines.
- Drug Manufacturing – the operating of a place for the purpose of manufacturing or distribution of illegal narcotics. It also includes endangering human life while doing so.
- Drug Conspiracy – the attempt to promote and facilitate manufacturing, distribution, or importation of illegal narcotics.
- Criminal Enterprise Drug Crimes – the trafficking of illegal narcotics by an individual in concert with five or more other people.
- Protected Location Drug Offenses – the distribution of illegal narcotics to persons under 21 within a school zone or playground.
Penalties for Federal Drug Offenses
For many types of federal drug crimes, mandatory sentences exist. This means that the judge is not afforded any discretion in ordering a lighter sentence.
Federal drug laws have specific minimum and maximum terms of confinement in federal prison.
These terms are based on the type and quantity of the drug involved. Under Federal Sentencing Guidelines, these factors are considered along with others, such as whether the federal drug offense involved an injury to another person, whether a weapon was used, and the defendant's criminal history. If the federal drug crime occurred within a school zone or near a playground, the penalties can be enhanced.
Contact a Drug Crime Lawyer
When facing federal drug crime charges, it's crucial to consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At Cron, Israels & Stark, we can provide you with advice on the law and guide you on how to proceed with your case.
Drug crimes can be prosecuted under federal law, state law, or both. If you are convicted, federal drug crimes usually carry much harsher penalties. Therefore, it's crucial to obtain a lawyer who has experience with both federal and state criminal drug law. Without proper legal representation, you could face severe consequences, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines.
If you are facing a federal or state drug crime charge, a knowledgeable Los Angeles defense attorney at our firm can clearly explain the intricacies of both systems and aggressively represent your interests.
As federal drug crime defense attorneys, Steve Cron and Philip Israels will work to get the federal drug crime charges against our client dismissed or reduced.
Suppose your federal drug crime charges are just at the investigative stage or under pre-trial negotiations with the United States Attorney's Office. In that case, we will seize every opportunity to discover any weakness in the government's case.
In previous federal drug crime cases, we have successfully challenged the admissibility of the government's evidence, questioned the accuracy of drug test results, and fought against illegal searches and seizures. If you are under investigation or have been indicted for a federal drug crime, contact our experienced firm for a free and confidential consultation about your criminal defense needs.