Shreveport Drug Distribution Lawyer

Experienced Drug Distribution Attorney in Shreveport, LA

Louisiana takes drug crimes very seriously. If you’ve been accused of possession with intent to distribute or a similar crime, you can work with a Shreveport drug distribution lawyer to protect your rights and freedom.

Trust P. Michael Davis, Attorney at Law

P. Michael Davis, Attorney at Law, is a dedicated criminal defense attorney. He has a reputation for providing aggressive representation and compassionate legal services to clients throughout Northwest Louisiana. 

He has handled many difficult cases in Shreveport and understands the proceedings of the Caddo Parish Courthouse. Let our team leverage our knowledge of drug distribution laws to your benefit. Contact us today.

Why Hire a Drug Distribution Lawyer?

In 2024, 1,470 people died of drug overdoses in Louisiana, amounting to 32 people per 100,000 residents. It should thus come as no surprise that the state takes drug crimes very seriously. 

If you’ve been charged with possession with intent to distribute, you need to hire a drug distribution lawyer right away. Your lawyer can:

• Check for constitutional rights violations
• Challenge unlawful evidence
• Find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
• Represent you in court appearances
• Recover seized property
• Negotiate plea deals
• Protect your rights and interests

Hiring an attorney is the most effective way to secure a positive outcome in a serious criminal matter, whether you have been accused of distributing marijuana or cocaine.

How Louisiana Defines Distribution

In Louisiana, drug distribution can involve selling or delivering a controlled substance, but it can also involve the mere possession of a drug with the intent to distribute it. The prosecution does not have to show that a sale took place to get you convicted of this crime. They only need to establish that you had the intention of selling it, often relying on factors such as:

• How much of the illegal substance was found
• Whether scales, baggies, or packaging materials were present
• Whether you had large amounts of cash
• Any communications suggesting sales activity, such as text messages
• Having multiple cell phones
• Witness testimony

Distribution charges are usually prosecuted in state court. When the quantity is large or the operation spans multiple people or locations, prosecutors may pursue drug trafficking charges instead, and cases that cross state lines are often prosecuted federally. Charges can also stack: producing the substance can add drug manufacturing charges, having a gun nearby can add firearm charges, and if someone dies after using drugs you allegedly distributed, Louisiana law allows a second-degree murder charge.

It is possible to infer intent from circumstantial evidence. We can challenge the prosecution’s interpretation of the evidence to show that no intent to distribute was present, even if it’s not possible to refute your possession of the drugs.

Possible Defenses Against Drug Distribution Charges

The prosecution must prove that you didn’t just possess an illegal substance but had the intention to sell or otherwise distribute it. Refuting those charges can look different depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. Possible defenses include:

• Challenging the legality of searches, seizures, or surveillance. We may be able to get evidence excluded if we can show that it was obtained unlawfully, leaving the prosecution without a means of moving forward with your case.
• Questioning the reliability of informant testimony. Testimony may be suppressed if we can show that the informant or witness providing it is not reliable or it was not legally obtained.
• Disputing the prosecution’s interpretation. Drug distribution cases often involve substantial circumstantial evidence. We may be able to dispute the prosecution’s interpretation of that evidence to get you lesser charges, such as simple possession.
• Arguing entrapment. If a law enforcement officer or an informant enticed you into committing a crime you normally would not have committed, that’s considered entrapment. Entrapment is a valid defense against criminal prosecution. It can be difficult to argue, but we are up to the task.

We can also help you explore options for plea bargains where appropriate. This can help you minimize penalties in cases where a conviction is the most likely outcome of a criminal trial. We don’t always recommend plea deals, though, and are fully prepared to take your case to court and provide you with a robust defense.

Protect Your Family. Secure Your Future.

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FAQs

What Are the Consequences of Possession With Intent to Distribute in Louisiana?

The consequences of possession with intent to distribute in Louisiana can be quite serious, as this crime is tried as a felony. In addition to facing steep mandatory minimum prison terms, people convicted of possession with intent to distribute or trafficking may also have to: 

• Pay fines
• Complete long-term supervised probation
• Deal with the many collateral consequences of a felony conviction

How Can You Beat a Possession With Intent Charge in Shreveport?

In Shreveport, you can beat a possession with intent charge with the help of a dedicated Shreveport drug distribution attorney. Your attorney can challenge the prosecution’s evidence, contest the possession charge, or argue that you had no intent to distribute the drugs, even if it’s not possible to show that they were not in your possession.

What Is the Crime of Drug Distribution in Shreveport, LA?

In Shreveport, LA, the crime of drug distribution is known legally as the intentional transfer, sale, delivery, or dispensing of a controlled substance, or the possession of a drug with the intent to distribute it. Prosecutors prove distribution by showing that you either actually delivered the drugs to another person or by showing intent. Proving intent can involve evidence such as large amounts of cash in small bills, scales, or baggies.

What Is the Minimum Sentence for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia?

The minimum sentence for a misdemeanor crime like possession of drug paraphernalia varies depending on factors such as whether the items were marijuana-related and for personal use, and whether you have a history of prior convictions for the same crime. For a single marijuana-related item, you could face only a reasonable fine. If the paraphernalia in your possession shows that you had the intent to distribute any kind of drugs, you could face much more serious distribution charges.

Your Shreveport Drug Distribution Lawyer

If you are facing possession with intent to distribute charges, you need to hire a Shreveport drug distribution lawyer who can assist you with your defense right away. The team here at P. Michael Davis, Attorney at Law, is here to help. 

Our firm’s founder is a former public defender with vast experience navigating challenging cases in Shreveport’s criminal courts. He can bring these years of experience to bear on your drug distribution case. 

We can protect your freedom and defend your reputation at every step, from suppressing evidence to taking your case to trial. Contact us to learn more about our firm and schedule an initial consultation today.