Drug laws often carry steep penalties, and this is especially true in the realm of federal drug laws. Broadly speaking, most drug crimes are prosecuted at the state level, but in some cases, the federal government brings the drug charges. Typically, but not always, states deal with cases of possession and other small-scale operations, while the federal government focuses on drug trafficking and other high-level, large-scale issues.
In any case, federal drug charges tend to be more serious, more complicated, and potentially more devastating. Accordingly, it’s on you to take these federal drug charges seriously and handle the situation responsibly.
Hire a Lawyer
Hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Hiring a lawyer is arguably the most important step you’ll take after learning of your federal drug charges. Your lawyer will help you review the charges against you, examine the evidence for and against you, and decide on the best course of action moving forward. They can give you solid advice and connect you to resources you may need, and they can represent you in both interrogations and negotiations. If your case goes to trial, they’ll also represent you in court.
Also, hiring a lawyer is important because they can protect your rights and make sure your case is handled appropriately. Lawyers understand the important procedural steps and rules in criminal proceedings, and they can make sure that law enforcement officers comply with them.
Once you have a lawyer in place, trust their advice. They know what they’re doing and they have your best interests in mind.
Remain Calm
Facing federal drug charges can be extremely anxiety-inducing. Depending on how these charges play out, you could end up in prison for years or face hefty fines. Your reputation may be ruined and you could lose a lot of money in the process. Still, it’s important to remain calm. If you can keep your emotions and intuitions in check, you can make much more thoughtful, rational decisions and ultimately put yourself in a better position.
Remain Silent
We’ve all heard the Miranda warning hundreds of times in our lives, but even so, many people neglect it. You have the right to remain silent, as anything you say could potentially be used against you in court. Even if you think you have the potential to talk yourself out of this situation, it’s important to realize that even a minor slip-up could lead you to inadvertently prove your own guilt, or even cause you to admit guilt to a separate crime the prosecution doesn’t even know about.
Unless your lawyer tells you otherwise, just stay quiet. You do not have to answer any police questions, aside from providing basic details about your identity, like your name and address.
Comply With Officers
Comply with law enforcement officers who issue lawful orders. If you fight back or try to run, you could face resisting arrest charges. Even if you’re merely impolite or verbally combative, it could make law enforcement officers resent you and make your life more difficult. You’re much better off simply complying with orders and requests for now.
Start Building a Defense Strategy
Together with your lawyer, you can start building a defense strategy.
- Dispute evidence. One option is to dispute the evidence against you. If the evidence isn’t compelling, or if you can present counterevidence, you may be able to dismantle the case against you.
- Cite procedural and legal errors. You may also be able to escape the charges entirely if you can prove procedural or legal errors. For example, if your rights were violated during your arrest, or if the chain of custody was broken, it could give you an opportunity to go free.
- Claim entrapment. Entrapment occurs when a law enforcement officer or similar person of authority induces an individual to commit a crime that they wouldn’t have committed or considered committing otherwise. If you can show that you did not have reason or opportunity to commit this crime until a law enforcement officer pressured you into it, you might be able to get off.
- Introduce new evidence. It’s also possible to produce new evidence that calls into question certain facts. Witness statements, surveillance footage, and other pieces of evidence may exculpate you.
Consider Taking a Plea Bargain
In some cases, it may benefit you to take a plea bargain. Essentially, this means pleading guilty to a lesser crime or a smaller number of crimes in exchange for a latent sentence. If the case against you is massive and you don’t have a viable defense strategy, accepting a plea agreement may become your best-case scenario.
Facing federal drug charges isn’t easy. But with the help of a good lawyer and a bit of patience, you might be able to tip the scales in your favor.
