Midland Federal Drug Crimes Attorneys

Defending Against Federal Drug Crime Charges in Texas

At Eckman Law Firm, PLLC, we have a powerhouse team of Midland lawyers ready to fight your federal drug charge. Together, Attorneys Aaron E. Eckman and Victoria Eckman have a combined 15 years of federal experience and have handled 400 federal cases. Having served as a law clerk for a U.S. Magistrate Judge, Aaron is intimately familiar with federal court processes. Our lawyers collaborate on the cases we handle. When you choose our team for your defense, your case benefits from our combined breadth and depth of insights and knowledge.

Whether you have been charged with simple possession, trafficking in controlled substances, or conspiracy to distribute, the penalties you face are severe and can include years of imprisonment and millions of dollars in fines. You need an attorney ready to fight aggressively for you. Our Midland federal drug crimes lawyers can provide the legal representation you need. We deliver individualized attention and listen to your side of the story. By understanding the situation from your perspective and conducting a thorough investigation, we can develop a personalized legal strategy for you.

To speak with one of our federal drug crimes lawyers in Midland, schedule a free phone consultation by calling us at (432) 223-9427 or contacting us online today.

Understanding Federal Drug Trafficking Charges

Federal drug trafficking involves manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing certain quantities of controlled substances (21 U.S.C. § 841). Controlled substances are compounds for which the federal government regulates production, use, and delivery. Some of these drugs may be made or given out only by a licensed individual. In contrast, others cannot be distributed at all.

The federal list of controlled substances contains five classifications of drugs. The substances are separated into different categories based on their potential for abuse, medical use (if any), and their risk of causing physiological or physical dependency. Schedule I controlled substances are considered the most serious, and Schedule V the least.

What are the Penalties for Federal Drug Trafficking?

The potential penalties imposed for federal drug trafficking depend on the type and quantity of the substance involved.

Examples of the possible punishments upon a conviction include:

• 10 years to life imprisonment and/or up to $10,000,000 in fines for trafficking:
  • 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine
  • 5 kilograms or more of a mixture containing cocaine
  • 280 grams or more of cocaine base “crack”
  • 1 kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin
  • 10 grams or more of a mixture containing LSD
  • 1,000 kilograms or more of a mixture containing marijuana
• 5 to 40 years of imprisonment and/or up to $5,000,000 in fines for trafficking:
  • 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine
  • 500 grams or more of a mixture containing cocaine
  • 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin
  • 1 gram or more of a mixture containing LSD
  • 100 kilograms or more of a mixture containing marijuana
• Up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or up to $1,000,000 in fines for trafficking:
  • A Schedule I or II controlled substance
  • Gamma hydroxybutyric acid
• Up to 5 years of imprisonment for trafficking:
  • Less than 50 kilograms of marijuana
  • 50 or more marijuana plants
  • 10 kilograms of hashish
  • 1 kilogram of hashish oil
• Up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or up to $500,000 in fines for trafficking:
  • A Schedule III substance
• Up to 5 years of imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines for trafficking:
  • A Schedule IV controlled substance
• Up to 1 year of imprisonment and/or up to $100,000 in fines for trafficking:
  • A Schedule V controlled substance

Aggravating factors, such as trafficking a substance that causes another person's death or having a previous federal drug crime conviction, can increase the potential penalties.

You might have been charged with federal drug trafficking, but that doesn’t mean you will be subject to the maximum punishments. Remember, you are innocent unless the government can prove guilt and have a constitutional right to a jury trial to fight the accusations. You also have the ability to work with the attorneys at Eckman Law Firm, PLLC, to seek the best possible outcome in your case. Our team is ready to help.

What are the Penalties For Simple Possession?

The federal government prohibits simple possession of a controlled substance. If a person knowingly or intentionally has a drug that a medical practitioner did not prescribe, they could be prosecuted under 21 U.S.C. § 844.

Simple possession is a misdemeanor, punishable by:

• A maximum of 1 year of incarceration and/or
• A maximum of $1,000 in fines

The offense becomes a felony if the alleged violator has one or more prior federal drug crime convictions. Various defenses can be raised to fight a simple possession charge, such as law enforcement officials violating the rights of the accused. Our federal drug crimes lawyers in Midland can analyze your case to identify an aggressive legal strategy for you.

Contact Our Federal Drug Crimes Lawyer in Midland Today

Building a defense against federal drug crime charges takes a thorough understanding of the law and judicial processes. At Eckman Law Firm, PLLC, our team has both. Backed by years of experience, we know what needs to be done to protect our clients' rights.

Contact Eckman Law Firm, PLLC, today to request a free phone consultation with our Midland federal drug crimes attorney.