Reducing Dallas Drug Trafficking Charges With a Lawyer

Reducing Dallas Drug Trafficking Charges With a Lawyer

Getting charged with drug trafficking in Dallas can be scary. The penalties are harsh – years or even decades in prison, plus huge fines. But having an experienced Dallas drug trafficking defense lawyer on your side can make all the difference. With the right legal strategy, it may be possible to get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

This article will walk you through how a lawyer can help with your Dallas drug trafficking charges, common defenses they may use, and what to expect going forward. We’ll also look at the specific drug trafficking laws in Dallas and resources that may help. The key is not to panic and to get an attorney on your side right away.

How Can a Lawyer Help With My Drug Trafficking Charges?

The prosecutor has to prove every element of the drug trafficking charge beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a high legal bar. An experienced drug crimes lawyer knows the complexities of these laws inside and out. They can review the evidence and look for any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case – gaps that create reasonable doubt. For example:

• The drugs may not actually be yours – your lawyer can argue they were planted or belonged to someone else. This is a common defense in stash house and delivery cases.
• You may have been forced or coerced into transporting the drugs, like by threats from a gang. This can show you didn’t have criminal intent.
• There could be issues with how evidence was collected or handled by police. If your rights were violated or procedures not followed, evidence could be thrown out.
• Witness testimony may be shaky or contradict other evidence. Your lawyer will rigorously cross-examine witnesses.
• The amount of drugs may be disputed. Even small differences in weight can change the charges and penalties.

Your lawyer may also negotiate with the prosecutor for reduced charges or sentencing. For example, pleading guilty to simple drug possession instead of trafficking. This depends on the specifics of your case and criminal history.

Common Defenses in Dallas Drug Trafficking Cases

Some of the most common defenses your lawyer may use include:

Lack of Knowledge. You didn’t know the drugs were there – they were hidden or belonged to someone else. This is especially common in stash house cases.

Duress. You were forced to traffic the drugs by threats of violence. This eliminates criminal intent.

Entrapment. An undercover officer pressured you into committing a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Illegal Search. The police didn’t have probable cause or a warrant to search you or your property. The evidence may be suppressed.

Misidentification. You were mistakenly identified and the drugs didn’t actually belong to you. Eyewitness misidentification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.

Actual Innocence. Despite the charges and evidence, you are completely innocent. Your lawyer will make prosecutors prove their case.

A skilled lawyer knows how to craft the best defense strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case. Having an experienced attorney makes all the difference.

What to Expect With Your Drug Trafficking Charges

If you’ve been arrested for drug trafficking, here’s a quick overview of what to expect:

• You’ll be booked, photographed, and fingerprinted at the police station. You may be eligible for bail.
• Within a few days, you’ll go before a judge who will read the formal charges against you. Don’t say anything without your lawyer present.
• Ask for a court-appointed lawyer if you can’t afford one. Don’t talk to police without your attorney.
• There will be series of pre-trial hearings to exchange evidence and file motions. Your lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the case.
• If a plea deal isn’t reached, your case will go to trial. Drug trafficking trials often involve expert witnesses on both sides.
• If convicted, you’ll be sentenced by the judge based on sentencing guidelines. Your lawyer will argue for leniency.
• You can appeal the conviction or sentence. Appeals focus on legal errors made by the court or prosecutor.

Having an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process is critical. Don’t say anything to police without your attorney present. The stakes are high, so take the charges seriously and get a lawyer on your side immediately.

Drug Trafficking Laws in Dallas

Texas has some of the harshest drug laws in the country. Here’s a quick overview of the main drug trafficking statutes in Dallas:

Texas Health & Safety Code Section 481.112 – Covers trafficking of drugs in Penalty Group 1, like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Punishable by up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Section 481.1121 – Trafficking drugs in Penalty Group 1-A, like LSD. Punishable by 15-99 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Section 481.113 – Trafficking drugs in Penalty Group 2, like ecstasy. Punishable by 10-99 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Section 481.114 – Trafficking drugs in Penalty Groups 3 and 4, like anabolic steroids and Xanax. Punishable by 2-20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Penalties increase if minors are involved, weapons possessed, or amounts trafficked are larger. Conspiracy and other charges may also apply. Federal charges are also possible under Title 21 US Code.

Resources in Dallas for Drug Charges

Facing drug charges in Dallas can feel overwhelming, but resources are available to help:

• Dallas County DIVERT Program – For low-level possession charges. Complete rehabilitation to avoid prosecution.
• Dallas County Public Defender – Provides court-appointed lawyers if you can’t afford one.
• Law Enforcement Action Partnership – Advocates for treatment over incarceration.
• Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program – Free legal assistance for low-income residents.
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association – Organization supporting defense lawyers and the accused.

Don’t lose hope if you’re facing drug trafficking charges in Dallas. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can thoroughly review the evidence and build the strongest defense for your unique situation. While the penalties are severe, you may be able to get charges reduced or dismissed. Don’t say anything to police and contact a defense lawyer immediately. With the right legal strategy, Here is the article converted to HTML:

Reducing Dallas Drug Trafficking Charges With a Lawyer

Getting charged with drug trafficking in Dallas can be scary. The penalties are harsh – years or even decades in prison, plus huge fines. But having an experienced Dallas drug trafficking defense lawyer on your side can make all the difference. With the right legal strategy, it may be possible to get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

This article will walk you through how a lawyer can help with your Dallas drug trafficking charges, common defenses they may use, and what to expect going forward. We’ll also look at the specific drug trafficking laws in Dallas and resources that may help. The key is not to panic and to get an attorney on your side right away.

How Can a Lawyer Help With My Drug Trafficking Charges?

The prosecutor has to prove every element of the drug trafficking charge beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a high legal bar. An experienced drug crimes lawyer knows the complexities of these laws inside and out. They can review the evidence and look for any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case – gaps that create reasonable doubt. For example:

• The drugs may not actually be yours – your lawyer can argue they were planted or belonged to someone else. This is a common defense in stash house and delivery cases.
• You may have been forced or coerced into transporting the drugs, like by threats from a gang. This can show you didn’t have criminal intent.
• There could be issues with how evidence was collected or handled by police. If your rights were violated or procedures not followed, evidence could be thrown out.
• Witness testimony may be shaky or contradict other evidence. Your lawyer will rigorously cross-examine witnesses.
• The amount of drugs may be disputed. Even small differences in weight can change the charges and penalties.

Your lawyer may also negotiate with the prosecutor for reduced charges or sentencing. For example, pleading guilty to simple drug possession instead of trafficking. This depends on the specifics of your case and criminal history.

Common Defenses in Dallas Drug Trafficking Cases

Some of the most common defenses your lawyer may use include:

Lack of Knowledge. You didn’t know the drugs were there – they were hidden or belonged to someone else. This is especially common in stash house cases.

Duress. You were forced to traffic the drugs by threats of violence. This eliminates criminal intent.

Entrapment. An undercover officer pressured you into committing a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Illegal Search. The police didn’t have probable cause or a warrant to search you or your property. The evidence may be suppressed.

Misidentification. You were mistakenly identified and the drugs didn’t actually belong to you. Eyewitness misidentification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions.

Actual Innocence.Despite the charges and evidence, you are completely innocent. Your lawyer will make prosecutors prove their case.

Some other common actual innocence arguments your lawyer may make include:

• You were not present at the scene of the alleged crime and have an alibi.
• You were misidentified by an eyewitness. Eyewitness misidentification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions[1][2].
• The drugs were planted on you without your knowledge.
• You were unaware the vehicle you were driving contained hidden drugs.
• You were coerced or threatened into committing the crime under duress.
• The forensic evidence is unreliable or was mishandled by police[5].
• Police violated your rights or fabricated evidence against you[3][4].

Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case to locate evidence proving your innocence. They may hire experts to challenge forensic evidence and re-examine crime scenes. If police violated your rights, your lawyer can file motions to suppress evidence. Prosecutors have an ethical duty not to pursue weak cases.

With an experienced defense lawyer arguing actual innocence, it’s possible to achieve full dismissal of all charges if the evidence proving your innocence is strong enough.