Hartford Drug Trafficking Defense Attorneys
Legal help with Hartford & Manchester, CT drug distribution and trafficking charges
If you’re facing drug trafficking or distribution charges, you likely understand that it’s crucial you secure legal help immediately. The penalties for selling, transporting, or distributing illegal drugs here in Hartford and throughout the state can be severe and long-lasting. Often, trafficking occurs throughout several jurisdictions, involving federal authorities and potential prison sentences.
Regardless of the type or amount of substances recovered during your arrest, you have legal options. The Hartford drug crime defense attorneys at Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC are well versed in drug trafficking law, and can put together a strategy designed for your specific circumstances. Call us today to find out how we can advocate for you.
Common questions about drug trafficking
What are common drug distribution and trafficking offenses?
What are the state and federal drug trafficking laws?
What are the penalties of drug trafficking?
Can you defend me against Hartford drug trafficking charges?
What are common drug distribution and trafficking offenses?
Although there are many different variables and factors that can apply to a drug trafficking charge, our Hartford lawyers see a few common offenses (and have experience handling them):
- Possession with intent to sell. Depending on the number of drugs in your possession, you may be charged with intent to distribute. For example, if you have a pound or more of marijuana on you, authorities will likely assume you’re going to sell it and it’s not for personal use. If you also have paraphernalia for distribution, like a scale or baggies, they’ll consider that further proof of intent.
- Selling illegal narcotics, drugs, or illegal prescription medication. With the opiate problem in Connecticut and throughout the country, authorities are cracking down on sellers of illegally prescribed pain medication, as well as other opiates and addictive substances.
- Conspiracy to sell drugs. Even if you’re just involved with a group of people who are selling or trafficking drugs, you can also be charged with conspiracy.
A skilled criminal defense attorney can help if you’ve been arrested for any of these drug offenses.
What are the state and federal drug trafficking laws?
Under CGS § 21a-279, it’s illegal to “manufacture, distribute, sell, prescribe, dispense, compound, transport with the intent to sell or dispense, possess with the intent to sell or dispense, offer, give or administer to another person” narcotic or hallucinogenic substances. This is where the serious charge of drug trafficking, rather than possession for personal use, comes in.
If convicted of drug trafficking, the specific penalties depend on the category (or schedule) of the drug you were found with, as well as whether the court considers you to be drug dependent.
- Federal and state law classify controlled substances into five different schedules, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Depending on what schedule of drug an individual is charged with trafficking, the court must follow different sentencing guidelines and penalties if convicted. Repeat offenders typically receive more severe sentences than first-time offenders.
- Under CGS § 51-181b, the prosecution may also bring different charges if the alleged offender is drug dependent. If they believe the individual could benefit from substance abuse treatment, the court may order them into an alternative program.
- Additionally, the court has the discretion to suspend mandatory minimums for offenders under age 18.
Drug trafficking cases are often charged in federal court, as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) typically investigates cases involving large amounts of narcotics moving back and forth, as well as cases that might indicate bigger operations.
What are the penalties of drug trafficking?
The penalties involved in federal drug trafficking convictions are different, depending on the type and amount of substances involved, as well as other variables.
These penalties can increase even more if you’re charged with causing someone else’s injury or death as a result of trafficking.
Remember, to convict you of drug trafficking, the prosecution needs to show more than you simply had illegal drugs on your person. They must prove that you intended to distribute and sell them. The drug crime defense attorneys at Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC can help you fight these charges from the moment of your arrest to the resolution of your case.
Can you defend me against Hartford drug trafficking charges?
When we take your case, we work to our utmost to defend you against all charges of trafficking, possession with intent to sell or distribute illegal drugs. Depending on the specific circumstances of your arrest, our legal team may be able to craft a defense strategy based on questions like:
- Were you legally allowed to possess marijuana under Connecticut’s medical marijuana law?
- Did police seize the drugs from you illegally or improperly?
- Was your traffic stop and vehicle search unconstitutional?
- Was the search warrant resulting in your arrest issued with probable cause?
- Did police and authorities remain within bounds of their search warrant?
- Were you in fact actually in possession of the illegal drugs?
Our first step is to work to get your charges dismissed altogether. If your drug trafficking or distribution charges can’t be dismissed, our attorneys negotiate with prosecutors for a more favorable outcome, including diversionary programs or substance abuse treatment.
Trafficking is a serious drug offense: authorities have charged you with being in either possession of, moving, or distributing large quantities of illicit or illegal drugs. Anyone caught with drugs with the intent to distribute will likely receive trafficking charges; however, the penalties will depend on the amount of the drugs in your possession, as well as any types of paraphernalia or packaging. We advocate for you, dedicating our resources to avoiding a conviction and jail time.
Tenacious Hartford drug crime defense lawyers
At Barry, Taylor & Levesque, LLC, our drug trafficking defense attorneys have decades of experience in defending clients against drug offenses. We protect your rights when you’re facing serious charges, and work to help you maintain your freedom and reputation. Get in touch with us today. We’re located on W. Center Street in Manchester. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers in Hartford or Manchester, please call 860-649-4400 or fill out our contact form.