Orlando Federal Drug Crimes Lawyer

If you or a family member is in danger of being arrested on federal drug charges or has already been charged, it’s important to act immediately and get the powerful protection and aggressive defense you need to protect your freedom and future. Contact Attorney David Haas, the Orlando federal drug crime attorney with over twenty years’ experience, a deep understanding of federal prosecutions and how to fight them, and a record of success as a defense attorney.

Call 407-392-9299 today or fill in the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website to get the immediate help you need.

When Do You Need a Federal Drug Crime Defense Attorney?

Laws that govern controlled substances exist at both the state and federal levels. Florida state laws refer to cases that occur within the state’s limited geographical area. Federal charges, on the other hand, apply to activities that cross state lines, occur on federal lands, or involve trafficking significant quantities of controlled substances.

Simple possession of a small amount of drugs may be charged at the state level, but offenses such as drug trafficking, manufacturing, or distributing are more likely to be charged as federal drug crimes. Federal charges are also more likely when the participants have an extensive criminal network with significant profits or enterprises are investigated or dismantled by a federal wiretap. In fact, if the federal system is involved in any way, federal drug charges will likely result.

It’s important to remember, however, that since there are laws governing controlled substances in both the state and federal jurisdictions, anyone arrested for any drug offense has the possibility of being charged with a federal crime. State and federal prosecutors often coordinate the prosecutions of drug offenses by deciding who should be charged in federal court. As a result, a state case can be “adopted” by federal authorities, and a new case will be filed in federal court.

That’s why you need a defense attorney who has experience at the federal level if you are charged with a drug offense. Attorney David Haas brings his experience as a federal prosecutor and skill in developing strong, multi-tiered strategies to protect your rights and fight against federal drug charges.

What Are the Penalties for Federal Drug Crimes?

Under 21 U.S.C. § 841, it is unlawful for anyone to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess with the intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense a controlled substance, as defined by schedules I-V of the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I includes drugs such as heroin, LSD, marijuana (cannabis) at the federal level, ecstasy (MDMA), methaqualone, and peyote); Schedule II includes cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone, meperidine, oxycodone, fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin; Schedule III includes drugs or other substances that have less potential for abuse than the drugs in schedules I and II and have a medical use in treatment; and Schedules IV and V have low potential for abuse and have medical uses in treatment.

While penalties vary depending on the type and quantity of drug and prior convictions, federal convictions for drug crimes typically carry very harsh penalties. For example:

• Basic Trafficking of Schedule I or II Controlled Substances
  • Prison: Up to 20 years
  • Fine: Up to $1,000,000 for individuals and up to $5,000,000 for organizations
• Trafficking of Schedule I or II Controlled Substances if You Have a Prior Drug or Violent Felony Conviction
  • Prison: 15 years to life
  • Fine: Up to $2,000,000 for individuals and up to $10,000,000 for organizations
• Trafficking of Schedule I or II Controlled Substances if You Have Two or More Prior Serious Felony Drug Convictions
  • Prison: Minimum 25 years, up to life
  • Fine: Up to $4,000,000 for individuals and up to $20,000,000 for organizations
• Trafficking of Schedule I or II Controlled Substances if Death or Serious Bodily Injury Results
  • Prison: Mandatory life sentence
  • Fine: Up to $8,000,000 for individuals and up to $20,000,000 for organizations

There are also quantity-based mandatory minimum penalties, as shown in Table 1:

Table 1. Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Common Controlled Substances

Controlled Substances	5 Year Minimum	10 Year Minimum
Heroin	100g	1 kg
Cocaine	500g	5 kg
Methamphetamine	5g	50g
Fentanyl	40g	400g
Marijuana	100kg	1,000kg

Source: Office of the General Counsel. U.S. Sentencing Commission. (2024). Primer: Drug Offenses.

Additionally, attempting or conspiring to commit a federal drug offense carries the same penalty as actually committing the offense, and federal drug distribution charges can readily open you up to numerous other charges, such as money laundering, tax evasion, or a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) violation that can result in additional jail time.

Clearly, if you are facing any type of drug crime charge, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced federal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your freedom and your future are at stake, so it’s vitally important to work with a skilled defense attorney who will protect your rights and aggressively fight the charges against you.

To get the powerful defense you need when facing drug crime charges, call Attorney David Haas at 407-392-9299 today or fill in the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website.

For a Strong Defense, You Need a Federal Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Now

A strong defense must be swift and strategic, particularly to:

• Challenge unconstitutional searches, seizures, or wiretap evidence
• Scrutinize lab analyses, chain of custody, and informant credibility
• Negotiate bail/bond hearings to avoid pretrial detention
• Fight for charge reductions
• Evaluate plea options vs. trial strategies, protecting you from forced pleas
• Seek sentencing relief via “safety valve,” “minor role,” or U.S. Sentencing Guideline variances

Attorney David Haas is a former U.S. Attorney with over 65 jury trials of federal and state cases under his belt. He has a proven track record of success defending against serious federal offenses and will put his experience, expertise and skill to work immediately fighting for the best possible outcome for you and your family.

Federal drug charges demand immediate action. The right attorney can make the difference between freedom and years behind bars.

If you or a loved one is facing drug crime charges, contact Haas Law ASAP. We can be reached 24/7 at 407-392-9299 or by filling in the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website.

Defending Federal Drug Charges Requires a Highly Trained Federal Drug Defense Attorney

Defending federal drug charges often requires a multi-tiered strategy.  At Haas Law, we challenge unlawful searches and seizures through suppression motions, faulty crime lab analysis, lost or tampered with evidence, flawed testimony, paid informants, drugs that were planted, drugs that belonged to someone else, entrapment, or willful blindness that the person was involved in a drug crime.  At the initial outset, a federal drug charge may seem hopeless; however, a knowledgeable and skilled federal criminal defense attorney can develop a legitimate defense against what may seem the most hopeless of cases.

The primary goal of Haas Law is to produce the best outcome possible for our clients: whether it means dismissal of charges, acquittal at trial, verdict of a lesser offense, or the lowest sentence possible under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines should a guilty verdict be rendered.

Federal Drug Charges – Pretrial Release or Detention

In federal court, a defendant’s danger to the community or their risk of flight if released are primary factors judges examine when considering release.  Bond hearings in federal court are much different than those in state court.  Obviously, no one wants to spend a day in jail. Our representation in a federal criminal drug case begins with an immediate effort to get our clients released on bail. This is a priority for both our clients and the lawyers working on the case because access to clients and their ability to assist in their own defense is much better when a defendant is released on bail.

Plea Bargain vs. Trial For Federal Drug Charges Depend on Your Federal Drug Attorney

The majority of federal drug offenders plead guilty to a reduced charge or to lower recommended sentence than would result from a trial. We do not, however, undertake a plea strategy unless our client wants to. If the government offers you a plea deal, we are ethically bound to tell you about it along with all the legal ramifications and sentencing consequences. Your attorney cannot and should not force you to plead guilty.  That decision is entirely yours. Our job is to advise our clients. Our job is not pressuring our clients to plead guilty and we will not allow a client to plead guilty if they are not guilty of the alleged federal drug offense(s).

Drug possession means having a controlled substance for personal use without any intent to sell or distribute it. Trafficking, however, involves larger quantities of drugs and typically includes actions like manufacturing, distributing, or transporting them with the intent to sell. Trafficking carries much harsher penalties, especially if prosecuted at the federal level.

Can federal drug trafficking charges be reduced to state charges?
Yes, it’s possible in some cases. An experienced attorney might negotiate with prosecutors to have federal charges downgraded to state charges, which usually come with lighter penalties. This depends on factors like the amount of drugs, the details of the case, and whether interstate activity was involved.

Federal Drug Charges Q & A

What happens if I’m caught trafficking drugs across state lines?
Trafficking drugs across state lines typically results in federal charges. Since federal law governs crimes involving interstate or international activity, these cases are handled in federal court, where the penalties are much more severe than those imposed by state courts.

Can I negotiate a plea deal for federal drug trafficking charges?
Yes, plea deals are possible in federal drug trafficking cases, but they can be complicated. Having an experienced attorney who understands federal laws and procedures is essential for negotiating effectively. A plea deal might reduce your charges, sentence, or fines.

How can a private attorney help with federal drug trafficking charges?
A skilled federal drug trafficking defense lawyer can investigate your case, challenge the evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and create a strong defense strategy. Their goal is to protect your rights, work to reduce or dismiss charges, and help you avoid the most severe penalties associated with federal drug trafficking.

Sources:

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/chapter/crime_arrests
https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publishing/criminal_justice_section_newsletter/crimjust_cjmag_21_2_federalorstate.authcheckdam.pdf
https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ftp3.shtml
https://federaldrugcharges.net/topics/when-does-a-drug-crime-become-a-federal-offense/
https://www.justia.com/criminal/offenses/other-crimes/federal-crimes/
https://www.justice.gov/usam/usam-9-27000-principles-federal-prosecution#9-27.200
https://norml.org/pdf_files/state_penalties/NORML_US_State_Penalties.pdf
https://www.oas.org/juridico/mla/en/usa/en_usa-int-desc-guide.html#_ftnref1
https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/quick-facts/Quick_Facts_Marijuana_Trafficking.pdf