Drug Charges Defense Information Guide
Over two-thirds of those convicted of a felony in 2000 were sentenced to incarceration, with an average felony sentence of four and one-half years. If you want to reduce the chances that you’ll spend the next few years of your life in jail, you must make sure that your defense strategy includes having a veteran of the criminal justice system with drug charges defense experience on your team. Read on to learn more in this Drug Charges Defense Information Guide.
America takes prosecution of drug crimes very seriously. Possessing even a small amount of an illegal substance can be enough to send you to prison for years. Since 1986, attorney William M. Butler has defended people accused of possession, distribution, and trafficking. If you or someone you love has been arrested on a drug charge, call William Butler at 502-582-2020 to talk to an aggressive criminal defense lawyer with over 35 years experience, or contact him via email to schedule your initial confidential consultation. He has skillfully defended thousands of clients, compiling an impressive record of positive results and he can defend you too, please see his Case Results and Testimonials. In this Drug Crimes Defense Information Guide you will find information on all aspects this area of the law from Federal Criminal Defense to Searches and Seizures.
Drug Crimes – An Overview
Drug crimes cover a broad range of offenses involving controlled substances, from possession and sale to manufacture and distribution. These crimes involve violations of federal or state law, or both. Depending on the particular circumstances of a case, these offenses can result in a broad range of potential criminal and administrative consequences, including probation, prison, property forfeiture, and participation in a court-ordered drug treatment program.
Though more severe charges typically result in harsher penalties, even less serious charges, such as possession of a small amount of a controlled substance, may have severe consequences, especially if the defendant has prior convictions, used a firearm in the commission of the crime, engaged in criminal activity near a protected zone (such as a school or park) or involved minors in the crime. If you have been charged with a drug crime, call 502-582-2020 today to schedule your confidential consultation with William M. Butler, Jr. he can explain your legal options.
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Federal Drug Crimes
The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, also known as the Controlled Substances Act, classifies narcotics, marijuana and other drugs into five categories, or Schedules. Besides establishing requirements relating to the manufacture and distribution of drugs, the law also defines penalties for violations of the Act. Depending on the nature and quantity of the substance involved, as well as the presence of sentence-enhancing factors, the criminal penalties can be severe.
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Searches and Seizures in Drug Cases
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Particularly in drug cases, the legality of how law enforcement officials obtained the evidence used to support the State’s case is a central and often-challenged issue. If the government’s conduct violated the Fourth Amendment, the evidence is deemed inadmissible. Without the necessary evidence to prove the criminal charges, the State may have to dismiss its case against a defendant.
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Criminal and Civil Forfeiture
Forfeiture is the government seizure of property connected to illegal activity. Utilized by the federal and state law enforcement in the ongoing “war on drugs,” the practice has not been without controversy. Law enforcement has asserted that it is a necessary and effective deterrent to drug crime, while opponents argue that existing procedural safeguards result in too many innocent parties having their property taken away, with little or no recourse for recovery.
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Alternatives to Incarceration in Drug Cases
Since the late 1980s, there has been a dramatic shift in the American justice system’s approach to drug crimes. Drug courts, which operate or are being planned in all 50 states, offer an alternative to traditional incarceration. By providing a structure that emphasizes substance abuse treatment and on-going supervision, drug courts aim to rehabilitate and reduce repeat offenses.
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Secure Legal Counsel
Drug Charges are taken seriously by law enforcement. Now that you have read our Drug Crimes Defense Information Guide, contact William Butler. Attorney William M. Butler, Jr. has defended hundreds of people accused of possession, distribution, and trafficking, and he can aggressively defend you too. For immediate assistance, if you or someone you love has been arrested on a drug charge, call 502-582-2020 to speak to William M. Butler Jr. With 35 years experience, he has helped many clients, and can help you too. Or contact him via email to schedule your initial confidential consultation. For more information, please see our Case Results and Testimonials.
