Virtually any drug charge can have an impact on your life. Even a simple marijuana possession conviction can become problematic because it stays on your record. But as society has advanced, there is less scrutiny placed on those who have a drug-related legal blemish in their background. However, there are some types of drug-related charges that are considered very serious and a conviction for such offenses could not only land you in prison, but could have a negative impact on your life after you have finished your sentence.
Drug trafficking involves the illegal importation, transporting, and selling of unlawful controlled substances such as methamphetamines, heroin, and marijuana. The penalties for drug trafficking can vary greatly because there are many factors that are taken into consideration by prosecutors and judges.
For example, the amount of a controlled substance recovered during an arrest can have an effect on the severity of the potential punishment. So too can the type of drug and the geographic area in which it was intended to be distributed.
But one of the most daunting parts of drug trafficking charges is that there are both state and federal drug laws on the books. And if you should receive federal charges, minimum sentencing standards are applied to convictions.
If you have been arrested on drug trafficking charges, there a number of possible defense strategies that could be employed. It may be possible to demonstrate that the police performed and illegal search and seizure in order to secure evidence. It may also be possible to demonstrate that you had no knowledge of or connection to the drugs that were seized. And an experienced criminal attorney could assess your case and recommend a strategy that could give you the best chance of having the charges reduced or even dismissed.
