A Woodlands federal drug charges lawyer will be a crucial resource and asset if you are charged with any drug-related offense at the federal level. There are several federal agencies operating in the Houston metropolitan area, and these agencies often work with local law enforcement to conduct operations intended to curtail illegal drug operations. If you are arrested in this upscale planned community, you need to hire a skilled Woodlands federal drug charges lawyer right away.
If your case involves additional federal trial or appellate issues, a Woodlands federal crimes trial and appellate lawyer can provide the guidance and representation needed to defend your rights at every level.
Hochglaube & DeBorde, P.C., has decades of experience in criminal law, and we not only defend clients prosecuted at the state level but also at the federal level. When you hire our firm to defend you, we will aggressively protect your rights, ensure a fair trial, and identify your most viable defenses. Our goal is to help you secure a case dismissal or acquittal if possible or mitigate your penalties if necessary.
If you’re facing charges that began with a simple traffic stop, learning how a routine stop can lead to federal drug charges in Texas can help you understand how quickly these cases can escalate.
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, about 1.6 million Americans are arrested each year for drug-related criminal offenses. Each year, about 244,000 individuals are sent to prison for these offenses, and more than 72,000 of these individuals are sent to federal prison. It’s possible for drug charges to be tried at the state level, but when a federal agency is handling the case, the defendant faces prosecution in federal criminal court. For a better understanding of how sentencing policies continue to evolve, exploring current shifts in federal and state drug sentencing frameworks can help you see how these changes might affect your case.
When you hire a federal drug charges lawyer at Hochglaube & DeBorde, P.C., to defend you, you will have a skilled legal advocate ready to provide ongoing support as your case unfolds. Our team has the experience, resources, and skills necessary to provide confident defense counsel in the most challenging cases, and we know how federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and others build their cases.
A defendant can be tried at the federal level for a drug-related offense when they have broken federal law, such as by trafficking drugs across state or national lines. It is also possible for a defendant to face multiple charges in a larger case spearheaded by a federal agency like the FBI or DEA.
It’s important to understand that federal agencies don’t usually arrest someone until they have gathered substantial evidence and are confident they can convict. Some federal drug cases are wrapped into much larger investigations that may involve counterterrorism and other matters involving national defense. Some of these cases target groups of individuals who may qualify for charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
When you have been arrested on any federal drug crime, it is vital to exercise your constitutional right to remain silent; secure legal representation until after you hire a defense attorney. You have the right to an attorney, and a Woodlands federal drug charges lawyer will be invaluable to your defense. Federal cases typically unfold more quickly than state-level criminal cases, and sentencing is far stricter.
Your defense attorney can ensure that your case unfolds fairly and identify any and all defenses that may work in your favor. Success with your defense may hinge on your ability to prove a factual mistake. Your attorney may also be able to identify procedural errors that have compromised the prosecution’s evidence.
Your defense team’s goal is to prevent the prosecution from proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a more difficult standard to prove than most people understand. The lawyers at Hochglaube & DeBorde, P.C., have years of experience handling some of the most difficult cases of federal crimes, and we’re ready to leverage this experience on your behalf in The Woodlands. Reach out to our firm right away to learn how we can defend you.
A drug charge can be tried at the federal level when the defendant has broken a federal law, when their illegal actions crossed state lines, or if their activities involved any type of federal office or agency. It’s also possible for a drug charge to be tried at the federal level if illegal misconduct occurred on federal property or if the defendant is facing multiple charges that qualify for federal prosecution.
Penalties for federal drug charges vary based on the severity of the charge in question, whether the defendant has been charged with multiple offenses, the defendant’s criminal record, and the overall severity of their charges. The defendant could face very heavy fines, asset seizure, and long-term incarceration in a federal prison. Many federal drug crimes have mandatory minimum sentences that include prison time.
Aggravating factors in a federal drug crime case include any factors that enhance the severity of the defendant’s charges, such as using a firearm while committing any drug-related offense, prior felony convictions, or any actions that have resulted in severe bodily harm or death. Your defense attorney can identify any such aggravating factors in your case and explain how they could impact sentencing if you are convicted.
You should hire a Woodlands federal drug charges lawyer because if you are charged with any crime at the federal level, it is crucial to secure defense counsel who has experience defending clients at this level. Federal cases are different from state-level criminal cases, and the stakes are much higher in terms of the penalties you could face if convicted. Find a skilled defense lawyer right away after your arrest so they can begin building your defense.
Hochglaube & DeBorde, P.C., has an extensive record of successful defense representation at the federal level, and we understand what is at stake when you are charged with any federal drug crime in The Woodlands. Our team will develop a robust and aggressive defense on your behalf, so contact us today and schedule a free meeting with a Woodlands federal drug charges lawyer you trust with your defense.