A: Yes, according to federal law, you can be charged with drug trafficking even if you did not sell any drugs. This is because possessing a large amount of drugs could be sufficient evidence to prove that you intended to distribute them. This means that people do not have to be caught in the middle of actually selling or distributing drugs. Instead, evidence like communications, baggies, scales, and financial records should be enough.
Nashville Federal Drug Trafficking Lawyer
Federal Drug Trafficking Attorney In Nashville, TN
One of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in federal court continues to be drug trafficking, with Nashville being no exception. Whether you are under investigation by federal agents for distributing drugs or have been arrested by the Metro Nashville Police Department for manufacturing or conspiracy, it’s crucial to act right away. A Nashville federal drug trafficking lawyer from Evans Bulloch Parker PLLC can support you.
The dedicated legal team at Evans Bulloch Parker PLLC has decades of combined experience successfully representing individuals in Tennessee facing accusations of drug trafficking from the federal court system. We are based just outside of Nashville, with our attorneys having represented people across the Middle District of Tennessee, including those facing drug indictments led by the FBI, ATF, and DEA.
As we understand the steps federal prosecutors take to build up their drug cases, we leverage this knowledge to fight back against them. Together, we can defend your rights and freedoms.
Understanding Drug Offenses in Nashville
According to a 2023 report from the Nashville Metro Police Department, there were 2,843 drug violations reported, indicating a 12.45% increase from 2022. The most common charges included possessing or concealing drugs (84.5%), using or consuming (8.4%), and other activities like trafficking, transportation, or conspiracy (7.1%).
Seized substances included marijuana/hashish (42.9%), narcotics (36.2%), stimulants (9.8%), and other substances (11.1%). Although arrests are primarily made up of possession cases, distribution and trafficking cases are the ones most commonly escalated to the federal level, especially if they’re tied to organized crime, weapons, or movement across state lines.
Federal Drug Charges We Can Help You Defend Against
Although many drug arrests may start at the local level with the Nashville Metro Police, there are certain elements that can escalate them to the federal level. Such factors include accusations of gang-related activity, large amounts of drugs, the interstate or international movement of drugs, or involvement of the internet or U.S. mail.
If your case has been picked up by the federal authorities, you will likely be facing charges in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, located in downtown Nashville. We can support you if you’re facing the following charges:
- Drug conspiracy.
- Possession of drugs with the intent to distribute them.
- Drug distribution and trafficking.
- Manufacturing of controlled substances.
- Importing drugs.
- Drug charges escalated by prior felony convictions or firearm possession.
Furthermore, if you are facing asset forfeiture or seizure, we can help defend your rights and property. Whether you have been caught up in a meth lab case in rural Tennessee or if you’re a Nashville-based business owner facing federal investigations, we are here to support you. We work closely with you to tailor the details of your defense strategy to reflect your particular situation.
How We Help You Build Up Your Defense
At our diligent law firm, we start off every case by launching an in-depth investigation. We can investigate whether your search process was legal, as well as work to understand the chain of custody of any seized drugs. We can also see whether undercover officers or confidential informants were used, in addition to how your particular role in the conspiracy case has been defined.
Finally, we can call into question whether surveillance techniques like wiretaps or warrants were valid. Depending on what we find, we may be able to file a motion to get evidence suppressed or challenge the admissibility of any testimonies or confessions. We can present optimal evidence and legal arguments on your behalf to minimize your charges or penalties.
FAQs:
Q: What Does It Mean to Be Charged With Drug Conspiracy?
A: Drug conspiracy means that you apparently agreed with other people to commit violations of federal drug laws. To be convicted of drug conspiracy, you don’t have to possess drugs or complete the act of selling them. Such charges are typically broad and built on the basis of circumstantial evidence or witness statements.
Q: What Are My Chances of Getting Bail in a Federal Drug Case?
A: Your chances of getting bail in a federal drug case are dependent on various factors, including whether you are a flight risk, if you have a prior criminal record, and the amount of drugs involved. Many drug trafficking cases are automatically associated with the presumption of detention. This means that the court will likely assume that you should be held unless your attorney can present compelling evidence.
Q: What If I Was Just the Driver or Middleman?
A: If you were just a driver or a middleman in a federal case, this is considered in federal sentencing guidelines. Such guidelines allow individuals taking on mitigating roles in drug charges to have their sentences reduced if they were minor participants in the operations. A detail-oriented attorney can help you get your sentence dramatically reduced by showing that you weren’t a leader or organizer in the case.
Q: What If I Was Using Drugs, Not Selling Them?
A: 84.5% of drug arrests that happened in Nashville in 2023 involved possession of drugs and not sale or distribution. In federal court, however, if you’re found to have even small amounts of drugs but under the wrong circumstances, you could be facing drug trafficking charges. This means that if you are found with minor drug amounts but financial ledgers, weapons, or cash, or if there is testimony against you, charges could quickly escalate.
Contact a Nashville Federal Drug Trafficking Lawyer Today
If you’ve been contacted by federal investigators or are facing an arrest or indictment, it’s crucial to act right away. As early intervention can significantly impact the outcome of your case, a Nashville federal drug trafficking lawyer from Evans Bulloch Parker PLLC is eager to help you right away. Contact us now to get started.