Shreveport Federal Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Trusted Federal Drug Trafficking Attorney in Shreveport, LA

Federal drug trafficking charges are very different from state drug trafficking charges. Federal charges are very serious. You can’t afford to go up against the full weight of the US government by yourself. You need to hire a Shreveport federal drug trafficking lawyer to defend your rights and interests.

Trust P. Michael Davis, Attorney at Law

Our lead attorney, P. Michael Davis, has the skill and experience required to represent clients facing challenging charges like drug trafficking. Our team has handled complex federal cases before and handles every case with care. We have extensive trial experience and know what it takes to get our clients the results they need. Contact us to discuss your case.

Why Hire a Federal Drug Trafficking Lawyer?

In 2023, 32.7% of the cases reported by the United States Sentencing Commission in Louisiana involved drugs. Those convicted faced a mean sentence of 110 months in prison. If you want to avoid serving serious prison time, you should hire a federal drug trafficking lawyer to help you with your case right away.

Your lawyer can advocate for your rights and provide legal guidance to you during every step of the legal process. They can:

• Analyze evidence
• Challenge violations
• Handle communications
• Negotiate plea deals
• Represent you in court

Hiring a Shreveport federal drug trafficking attorney is the most effective way to pursue a positive outcome for your case at the Tom Stagg United States Courthouse.

Understanding Federal Drug Schedules

The federal government divides all drugs into five categories, called “schedules.” These schedules are laid out in the Controlled Substances Act. The most dangerous drugs fall into Schedule I, while the least dangerous substances are Schedule V drugs. 

Schedule I drugs are considered to have no approved medical uses and to have a high potential for abuse or harm. Schedule II drugs still have a high potential for abuse or harm, but they also have medical uses. 

Drugs with moderate abuse potential fall under Schedule III. This pattern continues until you reach Schedule V substances, which have the lowest potential for abuse or harm of all the controlled substances.

Drug Trafficking vs. Drug Possession

Federal drug trafficking charges are very different from local simple possession charges. This serious felony crime occurs when a person is found in possession of a large amount of drugs, and the investigating officers believe they have the intent to sell or otherwise distribute them. 

As with simple possession, you don’t have to have the drugs physically on your person. Constructive possession allows you to be charged with drug trafficking if you have the controlled substances under your control, as might be the case if they were in your car or home.

The prosecution must provide proof that you were trafficking in drugs and did not simply have drugs for your own use. This often requires:

• Evidence of intent to distribute
• Large amounts of controlled substances
• Witness testimony or documentation of communications regarding drug delivery
• Large amounts of unexplained cash

We may be able to challenge the prosecution’s assertion that you intended to distribute the drugs, which could disrupt their ability to pursue trafficking charges.

Penalties for Federal Drug Trafficking Convictions

The penalties for federal drug trafficking are steep. You could face many years in prison, plus significant fines. 

Prison sentences increase for higher amounts of controlled substances, and enhancements apply if you have prior convictions or a death or serious injury resulted from your drug trafficking. You may also face an enhanced sentence if a firearm was involved or you were considered the leader of a criminal operation.

Enhanced charges for things like firearm possession are served consecutively, which means you must serve your assigned prison term for the trafficking offense before serving an additional term for the firearm offense.

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FAQs

What Is the Federal Punishment for Drug Trafficking in Shreveport, LA?

The federal punishment for drug trafficking in Shreveport, LA, depends on the type of drug being trafficked, the quantity involved, and whether it’s a repeat offense. The prison term for first offenses involving smaller quantities of drugs ranges from five to 40 years. For first offenses involving higher quantities of drugs, defendants could face ten years to life as a mandatory minimum sentence. Mandatory minimum prison sentences are often substantially elevated for second offenses.

What Counts as Drug Trafficking in Louisiana?

Acts that count as drug trafficking include the cultivation, manufacturing, sale, distribution, or transportation of any controlled substances. 21 USC 841 also includes possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it, which means you don’t need to be caught actively trafficking drugs to be convicted of this crime.

What Evidence Is Needed for Drug Trafficking in Louisiana?

The evidence needed for drug trafficking charges includes significant proof that the defendant knowingly possessed a controlled substance and intended to distribute it. Direct proof isn’t always available, and prosecutors can rely on a combination of physical, circumstantial, and testimonial evidence to build their cases. It can include the drugs themselves, paraphernalia, financial records, digital communications, surveillance footage, and witness testimony.

What Makes a Drug Trafficking Case Go Federal in Shreveport, LA?

A drug trafficking case in Shreveport, LA goes federal when federal prosecutors choose to take jurisdiction. This is often the case when defendants move drugs across state lines or international borders, commit offenses on federal property, or use the US Postal Service to ship drugs. Investigations aided by federal agencies often end up in federal court, as do cases involving large quantities of drugs or substantial criminal networks.

Your Shreveport Federal Drug Trafficking Lawyer

If you’re facing federal charges for a drug crime, you can work with a Shreveport federal drug trafficking lawyer to protect your rights and freedom. The team here at P. Michael Davis, Attorney at Law, is here to help.

We understand the complexity of federal drug trafficking laws and have experience successfully representing clients facing these serious charges. Our firm’s founding attorney, P. Michael Davis, began his career as a public defender and has since established himself as a respected criminal defense attorney. 

Whether we need to suppress evidence, question witness testimony, or take your case to trial, we make our clients’ freedom our top priority. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.