Due to the fact that illicit drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, methamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, PCP, etc) are often imported into the United States or moved across state lines, most high quantity drug busts are prosecuted as federal crimes. Of course there are always exception and our Orange county drug sales attorneys have handled many major busts which were litigated in the State courts. If the case is filed in the federal court however, you need a federal lawyer! Unlike state courts the federal prosecutors rely on the Sentencing Guideline which requires intimate knowledge for an attorney to be able to navigate through. Below is sample chart from the department of Justice showing the potential sentences for different drug crimes, see chart. Federal law in this area is generally governed by the Controlled Substance Act which is also referred to 21 USC. The Act categorizes drugs into different schedules and imposes penalties based on the schedule AND the quantity if the drug involved. As always, the defendant’s criminal history level will also play a role in the final sentence.
Our federal drug attorneys can go over all of your options and explain to you what you may be facing. Call us for a free consultation.
