Philadelphia Federal Cocaine Charges: Trafficking, Distribution and Possession

Philadelphia Federal Cocaine Charges: Trafficking, Distribution and Possession

Dealing with federal cocaine charges in Philadelphia can be scary. The penalties are harsh, and the federal prosecutors have lots of resources to come after you. But there is hope! With a good lawyer, and some luck, you may be able to get the charges reduced or even dismissed.

In this article, we’ll break down the common federal cocaine crimes, the penalties you may face, and some of the defenses that could help you. We’ll also talk about what to expect in federal court, and what you can do to help your case.

Federal vs. State Charges

First, it’s important to understand the difference between federal and state charges. Federal law covers the entire country, while state law is just for that particular state. Federal charges tend to be more serious with harsher penalties.

Federal prosecutors can charge you if:

• Your crime took place across state lines (you transported drugs from one state to another)
• Your crime took place on federal property like a military base or national park
• Your crime involved large quantities of drugs

So if you’re caught with personal use amounts of cocaine, you’ll probably face state charges. But if you’re moving kilos of coke across the country, expect the feds to take an interest!

Common Federal Cocaine Crimes

There are three main federal cocaine offenses you may be charged with:

1. Trafficking

This includes manufacturing, distributing, or possessing large amounts of cocaine with intent to distribute. Even offering to sell cocaine or negotiating a deal could count as trafficking under federal law. The minimum amounts to trigger federal trafficking charges are:

• 5 kilograms of cocaine powder
• 50 grams of crack cocaine

But the feds may charge you with trafficking even if you have less than those amounts if there are other signs you were dealing. Things like baggies, scales, cash, pay-owe sheets, and text messages could show intent to distribute.

2. Distribution

This means you sold cocaine to others, or shared it in exchange for money or other goods. The feds don’t need to catch you in the act to charge you with distribution – things like eyewitness testimony, wiretaps, video evidence or documented deals can be enough.

3. Simple Possession

It’s illegal under federal law to possess any amount of cocaine, no matter how small. First offense simple possession of powder cocaine carries up to 1 year in prison. Crack cocaine bumps that up to 20 years because the feds see it as more dangerous.

Penalties for Federal Cocaine Charges

The penalties for federal cocaine charges are much stiffer than similar state charges. Here’s a quick overview:

Federal Cocaine Trafficking

• 5+ kilos cocaine powder: 10 years to life
• 50+ grams crack: 10 years to life
• Lower amounts: 5-40 years

Federal Cocaine Distribution

• Powder cocaine: Up to 20 years
• Crack cocaine: 5-40 years

Federal Cocaine Possession

• Powder cocaine: Up to 1 year first offense
• Crack cocaine: 5-20 years

These long sentences are no joke. Getting convicted at trial can mean spending decades behind bars. That’s why it’s so important to fight the charges with an experienced federal cocaine crimes lawyer.

Defenses for Federal Cocaine Charges

There are several legal defenses that could get your charges reduced or dismissed. Some common ones include:

Illegal Search & Seizure

If the police violated your 4th Amendment rights by searching you or your property without probable cause, the evidence may be excluded. No evidence = no case. But federal courts rarely throw out evidence so you need an attorney experienced with suppression motions.

Entrapment

This is when law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you wouldn’t otherwise have committed. Like if an undercover agent hounded you for days to get cocaine even though you said no at first. It’s a tough defense that requires proof of improper police conduct.

Duress

If you can show you committed the crime under immediate threat of death or serious injury, this could get you off the hook. Like if a drug lord held a gun to your head and forced you to mule drugs. But vague fears aren’t enough – you need evidence of a specific imminent threat.

What to Expect in Federal Cocaine Cases

Once you’re charged, the feds don’t mess around. Expect an aggressive prosecution with lots of resources thrown at putting you in prison. Here’s what you can expect:

• Law enforcement may seize assets like cash or cars believed tied to drug crimes.
• Prosecutors often refuse to negotiate pleas until late in the process.
• You’ll probably be detained pre-trial due to flight risk concerns.
• Charges often start high to scare defendants into pleading out early.
• Sentences tend to be much longer than state cases.

The federal justice system is its own beast. You need an experienced federal drug crimes attorney to guide you through the process and give you the best shot at avoiding harsh penalties.

Finding the Right Lawyer

Don’t go it alone against the feds! Hire a lawyer who understands federal cocaine laws and knows their way around the federal courts. Look for someone with experience getting federal drug charges dismissed pre-trial or negotiating better plea deals.

A good cocaine crimes lawyer will analyze the evidence against you, identify any police mistakes or weaknesses, and start working on legal defenses. They’ll take the time to understand your side of the story instead of rushing you to plead out. And they should clearly explain the charges against you and what to expect at each step so you can make informed decisions.

Every case is different,, so make sure to find a lawyer who develops a customized defense strategy for your unique situation. Don’t just settle for the first attorney you find – interview several to find the best fit.

Take Your Charges Seriously

Getting arrested is scary. And facing federal cocaine charges that could put you in prison for a decade or more is downright terrifying.

The urge to panic is understandable. But you need to stay calm and take your situation seriously starting right now. Every move you make can impact your case.

So don’t talk to anyone but your lawyer about your case. Don’t post about it on social media. Don’t try to hide evidence or witness tamper. Any slip up could tank your chances of getting the charges reduced or dismissed.

The stakes are as high as it gets with federal drug cases. Fight back with an experienced cocaine crimes attorney by your side.

At the end of the day, you still have rights. And there is hope. Get the help you need to put up the strongest possible defense. A skilled lawyer can stand toe-to-toe with the feds and give you a fighting chance to avoid harsh penalties.

So take a deep breath, stay strong, and start contacting federal cocaine defense lawyers for a free case evaluation as soon as possible. Your future depends on fighting back hard starting today!

Citations

Here are the citations used as anchor text throughout the article:

Federal drug trafficking penalties

Unlawful acts regarding controlled substances

Philadelphia federal cocaine trafficking case

PA federal court cocaine suppression case

Western PA federal cocaine distribution case

USSC report on federal vs. state drug penalties