If you’ve been caught with drugs or accused of selling or trafficking in drugs, you may be charged under state or federal drug laws. Federal drug laws are usually – but not always – much harsher than state drug laws. For instance, trafficking in 5 kilos or more of cocaine will mean a mandatory 10 year minimum sentence (without 3553(e) relief) under the federal law, but will mean approximately 15 years under the state laws. The federal system is also often much faster than the state system. While a state case may take anywhere from 12 months to two years, a federal case will generally be resolved with 6 to 7 months, start to end.
Sometimes a state drug case will turn into a federal drug case, particularly if the quantities of drugs in question are large. Or a North Carolina drug case will turn into a federal drug case if federal agencies were involved in the investigation or arrest of the drug crimes. Or if federal authorities made the initial arrest of the defendants.
Sometimes a case will “turn federal” or be “taken federally” if the case involved a confidential informant or snitchA defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperationA defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperation given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. is working for the federal government.
Federal drug laws are complicated, and require a federal drug lawyer who understands how they work and how to defend against these charges. First, federal drug laws have various mandatory minimum sentences imposed by statute. If a case can’t be won on the facts – if the federal government has a strong case – then it may be necessary to discuss 5K1.1A defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperationA defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperation given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved., 3553(e) or Rule 35 substantial assistanceA defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperationA defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperation given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. as a method to reduce the prisonA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of CorrectionsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. sentence that may be imposed.
Whenever someone is offering 5K1.1A defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperationA defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperation given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. or 18 USC 3553(e) assistance, it’s very important that the person get credit for the assistance they’ve offered. It’s also very important that the person have a lawyer present during all aspects of this assistance, including the debrief with agents, to ensure that federal agents – be they Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or other agents – recognize the importance of this assistance. A lawyer who understands how to maximize the benefit of 5K1.1A defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperationA defendant may reduce penalties or avoid convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. altogether by providing authorities with information related to criminal activity. Substantial assistance is a common feature of drug cases. Substantial assistance should only be given with the advice of a defense lawyer, since cooperation given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. given without a defense lawyer's input may not be honored by police or prosecutors when the case is resolved. assistance or 18 USc 3553(e) assistance will be able to negotiate with Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) in Raleigh to achieve the best possible result for the client.
In addition, you need a lawyer who understands how to avoid the potentially terrible consequences of “relevant conduct”. Relevant conduct is the secret weapon the government has that can send people away for years or even decades. It’s important that any pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreement or proffer protect the person’s assistance. In addition, it’s important that any assistance be done safely and securely so that the person and the person’s family are not harmed or injured.
In addition, it’s important that if the case can be won on the facts, meaning that the person can achieve a not guilty verdict at trial, that the federal drug lawyer in Raleigh you hire understands the importance of putting on the strongest possible trial defense to win at a federal juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial.
A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. trial.
Too often I encounter clients who have talked to or previously hired lawyers who specialize in other areas of law to handle federal criminal cases. It is always a very dumb decision to hire an attorney who may specialize in a different area of the law to handle your federal drug case. An aggressive federal drug lawyer will be able to handle your case to achieve much better results than a lawyer who is unfamiliar or doesn’t know how to handle such cases.
