According to a report by the United States Sentencing Commission, out of the 61,678 cases reported in the 2024 fiscal year, 18,150 were drug-related. Of those, 18,029 involved drug trafficking.
Drug trafficking is a serious offense that can change the trajectory of anyone who gets accused of it. Besides the fact that it has serious legal consequences in the eyes of the law, it can also stain your life for the rest of it. But it’s important to remember that being charged is not the same as being guilty.
According to drug trafficking lawyer Michael Vitaliano, a major trafficking charge can lead to a life sentence. A conviction can also lead to heavy fines. If multiple people were involved in the trafficking operation, you could face the addition of conspiracy charges.
If you know your rights, you will have other options on how to defend your case or even have it dismissed. Here are the steps you can take.
Table of Contents
Understand the Charges Against You
Before a drug trafficking charge can be defended, you must learn what the charge is about. It is not just about simple possession; it concerns the intent to distribute controlled substances. You should learn the laws in your area because they can change significantly.
Understand the possible penalties, such as fines and long prison terms. Trafficking is different from mere possession, so you must also consider this in your defense. The more you understand the charges against you, the more you will cooperate with your lawyer and support systems.
Drug crime lawyer Kaitie Cahill says drug trafficking charges are more severe than distribution or transportation charges. But for trafficking to be charged, law enforcement usually must find a large quantity of substances that indicate that you defendant had more than the intent to sell or distribute said drug.
Gather Evidence to Support Your Case
Understanding the specifics of your charges sets a solid defense. Begin collecting pieces of evidence that will be helpful to your case, such as eyewitness testimony, documents, or material evidence; all of these will help constitute a defense against the prosecution’s allegations.
The testimony of everyone present during the incident is important. Obtain communications via text messages, e-mails, or other platforms that support your defense or present a different version of the incident.
It could also be worth writing everything down, as detail counts. You should also establish an alibi and find proof that you were somewhere else during the crime. The more evidence collected, the better the defense.
Remember, you have an ally with whom you can build your support network and aid you through this tribulation.
Challenge Law Enforcement Procedures
Prosecuting procedural offenses will weigh in your favor, especially if violations have occurred on the arresting or investigative end. For example, evidence obtained from an illegal search could be thrown out, and failure to read certain rights might bear directly on the examination of charges against a defendant.
Gather information about your interactions with the police: dates, times, and concrete actions taken. Providing this information gives the lawyer better grounds for making a claim. You need to be treated fairly, and holding the police to account is part of it. In standing up for your rights, you might be assisting several others stuck in similar positions.
Explore Defense Strategies
When ruling through the complexities of a drug trafficking charge, explore different defense strategies to strengthen your case. The first strategy is to challenge the evidence. Many cases get dismissed for having insufficient evidence or because of the prosecutor’s illegal gathering of evidence.
Present an alibi to prove you weren’t aware of the illegal activity happening. Having one or multiple witnesses would strengthen your case. Being forced to assist might count as a mitigating factor.
An experienced lawyer can lead you toward the best defense strategies in your particular situation. Every case is different, and thus, the right approach is necessary.
Consider Plea Bargaining Options
Unless you’re being sentenced for drug trafficking, a plea bargain may constitute some chance of lessening the penalties that could be imposed. It is the same for many other people seeking an escape route.
They either plead guilty as charged to a lesser offense or a lesser sentence in return for a person’s cooperation with law enforcement. Your attorney must discuss the benefits and drawbacks of your particular case with you.
A plea bargain would reduce the risk of going to trial, thus bringing your case closer to the goal of a fair resolution on your behalf. You should receive assistance and understanding while you handle these challenging choices.
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