Federal Drug Crimes Defense Attorney

Have federal authorities charged you with drug-related crimes? Federal drug crimes are serious offenses that come with severe penalties if convicted. You need experienced legal counsel to help you fight for a favorable outcome for your case. Contact The Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling to schedule a free case review with a Los Angeles federal drug crimes defense lawyer.

What are Federal Drug Crimes?

Federal drug crimes typically include controlled substance-related offenses that occur across state lines or national borders. Federal investigators and prosecutors focus their efforts on large drug operations, leaving prosecution for individual drug sales or simple possession to state authorities. The U.S. government considers illicit drugs a danger to public health and welfare, so U.S. Attorneys prosecute federal drug crimes vigorously and pursue significant penalties for offenders.

Why You Need a Los Angeles Federal Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer

Following an arrest, a federal drug crimes defense attorney can protect your rights and fight the charges against you by:

Thoroughly investigating the charges and identifying compelling evidence
Evaluating the facts of your case to develop potential defense strategies
Working with investigators and experts to craft compelling legal arguments
Explaining the charges against you and the potential outcomes of your case
Negotiating with prosecutors to have your charges reduced or dismissed
Representing you in court to fight your charges and advocate your innocence

Common Federal Drug Charges Handled by the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling

At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, our California federal drug crimes defense lawyer can represent you in cases involving:

Drug trafficking and distribution
Drug manufacturing and cultivation of controlled substances
Drug possession with intent to distribute
Drug conspiracy
Prescription drug fraud and diversion
Money laundering related to drug trafficking

What Happens When You Get Charged with a Federal Drug Crime?

If the U.S. Attorney’s office decides to pursue federal drug crime charges against you, it may present the case to a federal grand jury to obtain an indictment. This is the first step in formally charging you with a federal drug offense. The grand jury must review the government’s evidence to determine whether there is probable cause to charge you with a crime.

If the grand jury approves the indictment, you will be arrested and must appear in court for a preliminary hearing. The judge will advise you of the charges, take your initial plea, and decide whether to detain you pending trial.

Before trial, the U.S. Attorney and your lawyer will exchange evidence during a process called discovery. During this phase, they will continue investigating to obtain evidence supporting their cases. Either side can file motions to admit or exclude evidence. Your attorney could also move to dismiss the charges against you for insufficient evidence.

If the government does not drop the charges or agree with your defense attorney on a plea bargain, your case will eventually go to trial. At trial, attorneys from both sides will present their evidence and arguments to a jury or judge, who will decide whether to acquit or convict.

Common Defenses in Federal Drug Crime Cases

A federal drug crime defense lawyer can raise various defenses to contest the government’s case and seek an acquittal or dismissal of charges. Common defense strategies in federal drug cases include:

Lack of possession – Your attorney could contest the drug charges by arguing that you did not have actual or constructive possession of the drugs.
Lack of intent – If the charge includes an element of intent, your lawyer could fight it by arguing that you lacked the requisite intent to commit the crime.
Lack of interstate or international nexus – Your attorney could move to dismiss the charges by proving that the alleged offense lacks a nexus (link) with interstate or international commerce.
Unlawfully obtained evidence – A criminal defense lawyer could seek to exclude evidence or statements from the trial by arguing that investigators obtained them in violation of your rights.
Procedural violations – Your attorney could highlight procedural violations by the prosecution, such as failing to disclose exculpatory evidence, which might lead to a dismissal of the charges.

Sentencing Guidelines and Mandatory Minimums for Federal Drug Convictions

Following a conviction on federal drug charges, courts must apply federal sentencing guidelines when determining a defendant’s sentence. These guidelines include ranges within which a federal judge can sentence a defendant. A defendant’s sentencing range under the guidelines will depend on the offense level for the conviction and the defendant’s criminal history.

For drug crimes, offense levels typically depend on the nature of the offense and the quantity of drugs involved. Federal courts can apply sentencing enhancements or reductions for various aggravating or mitigating factors, such as the use of a deadly weapon or violence in the commission of the offense. Judges may also vary upward or downward from the guidelines ranges based on their evaluation of the statutory sentencing factors.

However, some drug offenses also have mandatory minimum sentences, which require federal courts to impose minimum sentence terms regardless of the sentencing guidelines.

Why Choose Us?

A conviction on federal drug charges can involve severe penalties, including substantial fines and long prison terms. Choosing the right legal representation can significantly affect the outcome of your criminal case.

You deserve an advocate who will champion your interests and defend your rights in the criminal justice system. The legal team at the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling never backs down, even when facing the size and resources of the federal government. For years, clients have trusted us to guide them through the criminal justice process because:

Firm founder Justin E. Sterling has over 20 years of criminal trial defense experience and brings extensive knowledge and insights from his time as a former Los Angeles public defender.
Our firm has long-standing relationships with prosecutors, law enforcement, court staff, and judges across Los Angeles and Southern California.
We use in-house investigators and experts to build the most robust defense cases.
Our firm purposely limits our caseload to provide maximum attention and effort to each client.

Contact a Federal Drug Crimes Defense Attorney Today

If you’re facing federal drug charges, you need an experienced legal advocate to stand up for your rights, reputation, and future. Contact the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling today for a confidential consultation with a nationally recognized federal drug crimes defense lawyer.