

Since the “War on Drugs” began decades ago, the federal government has aggressively investigated and prosecuted drug distribution and trafficking operations. These prosecutions often involve drug conspiracy charges, since prosecutors can then cast a wide net that allows them to collect evidence of other possible crimes, such as drug distribution and fraud.
Conspiracy is, in fact, one of the most frequently charged and little understood federal crimes. An illegal act, written agreement, or other interaction does not have to have occurred for the crime to be charged; there only has to be evidence that two or more people agreed to commit a federal offense sometime in the future and at least one of them took some action toward committing the crime.
If you have been charged with drug conspiracy or you believe you are being investigated for conspiracy, it is crucial to get help from an experienced federal defense attorney as soon as possible, even if you’re being charged under state law. Conspiracy cases can quickly get moved to federal court if interstate activity or a federal law is involved, and you need an experienced federal defense attorney in your corner, protecting your rights and fighting for your freedom.
At Haas Law, we have a thorough understanding of federal drug conspiracy laws as well as the experience, skills, and resources needed to defend you and your rights if you have been charged with violating one of those laws. Attorney David Haas has many years of experience in federal and state courts and is experienced at defending against a wide variety of criminal charges. He will put his more than 14 years of state and federal prosecution experience, knowledge of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and skill as a trial attorney to work protecting and defending you.
Federal Drug Conspiracy Laws
Federal law enforcement authorities typically focus on large-scale drug operations, including trafficking rings. The scale of these investigations often results in multiple defendants, many of whom are charged with “conspiracy” to commit federal criminal offenses. According to U.S. federal law, a conspiracy exists when all the following can be proven:
- There was an agreement between two or more people to violate a federal drug law, such as to manufacture, import, sell, or possess with the intent to sell any controlled substance.
- The defendant knew about the agreement.
- The defendant willingly joined the agreement.
You can also be charged with both the actual crime and conspiracy to commit the crime. By way of illustration, you might be charged with both trafficking heroin and conspiracy to traffic heroin. Moreover, if convicted, you potentially face mandatory minimum sentencing that applies to the underlying crime because your sentence will be governed by 21 U.S.C. section 846, which reads as follows:
“Any person who attempts or conspires to commit any offense defined in this subchapter shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt or conspiracy.” (Emphasis added)
How Can a Federal Defense Attorney Help Fight Drug Conspiracy Charges?
If you believe you are the target of a federal drug conspiracy investigation, or you have already been charged with drug conspiracy, an experienced federal defense attorney can help in several important ways. If you are the target of an investigation, a federal defense attorney can step in and protect your rights as a suspect, including:
- Your right to remain silent.
- Your right to an attorney during questioning.
- Your right against illegal search and seizure.
Each of these is an important right, guaranteed to you by the U.S. Constitution. Unfortunately, Constitutional rights are all too often violated during law enforcement investigations. The best way to ensure that your rights are not violated is to contact an experienced federal defense attorney immediately if you have reason to believe you are the target of a drug conspiracy investigation.
If you have already been charged with federal drug conspiracy, you also need a federal defense attorney to protect your rights as well as to increase the odds of your release while the case is pending and to mount a defense to the allegations made against you. The defense strategy your attorney uses will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of your case; however, it may include:
- Challenging the legality of a search and seizure. Absent a legally recognized exclusion, a search and seizure cannot be conducted without a warrant based on probable cause. If evidence was seized illegally, it may be excluded from trial.
- Excluding a confession or other statements you made during the investigation. A “coerced” confession or a statement made against your interest without an attorney present could be prevented from being used against you at trial.
- Questioning the credibility and reliability of an informant. Confidential informants (CIs) are frequently part of drug conspiracy investigations. To be used as a compelling witness against you, a CI must be credible and reliable. If there is reason to doubt a CIs credibility and reliability, your attorney will work to prevent the CIs testimony from being used against you.
- Attacking any, or all, of the elements required to prove that a “conspiracy” existed. Your attorney may be able to bring into question the existence of an agreement and/or your knowledge and willing participation in that agreement.
If a conviction for drug conspiracy becomes inevitable, your federal defense attorney will aggressively negotiate the terms of a guilty plea agreement on your behalf. Your attorney will work hard to negotiate terms that are as favorable to you as possible under the circumstances. If you are found guilty at trial, your federal defense attorney will advocate on your behalf regarding your sentencing imposed by the judge.
Get Help from Experienced Orlando Drug Conspiracy Federal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a criminal offense involving a drug conspiracy or have reason to believe you are the target of a drug conspiracy investigation by federal law enforcement authorities, consulting with an experienced federal drug conspiracy attorney immediately is crucial to protecting your rights and your future.
At Haas Law, we have the knowledge, experience, and commitment necessary to help you if you find yourself a target or a defendant in a federal drug conspiracy case. Let us put our skills and resources to work fighting for you.
Call us at 407-755-7675, chat with us online, or submit our online form today. Because we understand that time is of the essence when federal law enforcement authorities are investigating you, our calls are answered 24 hours a day, allowing you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.