Columbia Drug Trafficking Lawyer
The issue of drug trafficking is an ongoing and evolving challenge for law enforcement throughout the United States. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) works with local law enforcement throughout the country with the goal of prosecuting drug traffickers. Columbia, MO is no exception, particularly due to the presence of major interstate highways and transportation infrastructure in the Columbia area.
Drug trafficking is a serious criminal offense, especially if it is accompanied by other criminal charges. If you have been charged with a crime of this nature, you will need to quickly enlist the help of an experienced Columbia drug trafficking lawyer who understands the law and knows how to defend drug trafficking cases. Call a dedicated drug attorney today to learn more.
Drug Trafficking Charges and Penalties
Drug trafficking is a felony in Columbia and carries steep penalties including long prison sentences and hefty fines. There’s an important distinction to be made between drug distribution and drug trafficking charges. Trafficking charges can include or be brought as a result of the distribution, delivery, manufacture, or production of controlled substances. However, they typically are based on the volume of drugs in question. Many people mistakenly believe that drug trafficking charges stem from crossing state lines (or international borders), however, that is not necessarily the case. Drug trafficking charges are determined by the weight of the drugs and as such, the drugs do not have to be transported across state lines for it to be considered drug trafficking.
In Missouri, drug trafficking laws range from Class A to Class C felony offenses. How an individual is charged depends on the amount of the drug involved and whether the individual was attempting to sell, deliver, or buy the drugs. With sentencing guidelines ranging from 10-30 years for a Class A felony, 5-15 years for a Class B felony, and 3-10 years for a Class C felony, these are extremely serious and life-altering criminal offenses.
Also, important to note is the fact that if you’re charged with drug trafficking and were also transporting the drugs across state or national borders, you may be at risk of federal charges. This means that federal organizations such as the FBI may become involved, and the penalties could become even more severe. A knowledgeable attorney in Columbia could explain these laws in further detail during a consultation.
How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Assist with Drug Trafficking Charges?
Having a proactive and experienced drug trafficking lawyer in your corner is essential if you have been charged with drug trafficking. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can provide a variety of legal services to assist individuals with drug trafficking charges. Most importantly, they will conduct an exhaustive investigation into the case and use the information gathered to build a solid defense to aggressively fight the charges.
A legal representative in Columbia will question the legality of the search and seizure, examine all the evidence being presented by the prosecution, and look for missing or incomplete information that may be used to help your case. This includes questioning the reliability of the prosecution’s witnesses and searching for any evidence of entrapment or other violations of your rights.
Contact a Drug Trafficking Attorney in Columbia Today
At the Law Offices of Chris Miller, we understand that being charged with drug trafficking can be a very stressful and frightening experience. Our skilled criminal defense lawyers are highly experienced in drug trafficking cases and will work closely with you to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome for your case. We take an aggressive approach to defending our clients and will fight to ensure that your rights are protected. Contact our Columbia drug trafficking lawyers today for a free consultation.