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My name is John Radziewicz, and I am a criminal defense attorney in New Orleans with a passion for justice and protecting the rights of the accused. My team manages a small caseload, which allows us to focus our full attention on the needs and special circumstances of each client.
Are you facing felony drug charges for drug trafficking, manufacturing, possession with intent to distribute, or the possession of specific drugs, like marijuana, cocaine, crack, or heroin?
As your New Orleans drug crimes attorneys, we aggressively advocate for your rights and your freedom both in and out of court. I examine the charges, consider the evidence, and take the time to listen to your side of the story. If you did not commit the crime you were accused of, we can work to prove your innocence. If the evidence is strong against you, we work hard to mitigate the potential consequences.
Drug crimes are taken seriously. From Orleans Parish to St. Tammany Parish, local judges continuously evaluate evidence as it’s presented to them, rule on how charges should proceed, and preside over pretrial and trial hearings.
Drug crimes can cover a wide range of offenses, all depending on the circumstances and specifics of the case. Some drug crimes involve possession only, while others may focus on possession with intent to distribute or manufacture drugs. Some common drug crime offenses include:
There are also other drug crimes that include possession of drug paraphernalia or charges that could be related to an organized operation. It’s important to note that the charges often rely on the evidence, not the actual crime committed itself. For instance, you may not have been caught in the act of selling drugs, but if there is evidence that points to doing so, such as large amounts of cash and drugs that would not reasonably be used for single consumption, you may face additional charges.
In fiscal year 2024, 18,150 cases reported to the United States Sentencing Commission involved drugs. Of these, 18,029 were for drug trafficking. Additionally, 96.5% of those charged were sentenced to prison.
Drug crimes can happen in many situations you may not expect. You might be facing possession charges if a traffic stop led to a search of your car, where illegal substances were found. There are also drug crime cases that occur over a longer period of investigation. These sometimes involve staking out someone’s home or using confidential informants to make an arrest based on the purchase of alleged drugs.
Drug crime examples include having drugs in your car, living in a house with others when drugs are found, or investigating a person for alleged drug sales. Drug crimes may also include online messaging or financial transactions that law enforcement believes are tied to drug dealing.
Drug crimes can involve pretty much any controlled substance. This includes drugs that are illegal to sell or possess, such as:
This can also include prescription medications that were used in a way that was not prescribed, such as obtaining a false prescription or taking someone else’s medication. You might also face drug charges even if you didn’t know you had something illegal.
Drug crimes can involve more than one person. If there are multiple people involved when you get arrested for a drug crime, each person may be charged differently based on their responsibility and the evidence against them.
Responsibility for a drug crime doesn’t always split evenly when there are multiple people involved. Courts can look at who had access to the drugs, who was in control of the area where they were found, and whether there is evidence tying one person to the drugs.
Evidence of who is responsible for drugs can include what someone said, their text messages, or witness accounts. Just being in the presence of drugs isn’t enough to make someone responsible, but it also doesn’t clear them of responsibility. Sometimes, co-defendants each have different stories about what happened. When this occurs, it can make a drug crime case more complex.
Drug crimes also frequently occur in vehicles. Whether you are stopped for a traffic violation or law enforcement searches your car, you may be facing drug charges if drugs are found. Who is responsible for drugs found in a vehicle depends on a variety of factors. One of these is if the drugs are found on your person or in plain view. This is different than if they are hidden in a secret compartment or container.
Law enforcement can also use who is driving and who owns the vehicle to determine who is responsible for the drugs. Drug crime cases that involve a vehicle can also include challenges to the search of your car.
Your New Orleans drug crime attorney may question whether law enforcement was allowed to search your vehicle without a warrant and whether or not you gave them permission to search your vehicle. According to the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, citizens are protected from unlawful searches and seizures. It is up to your attorney to verify that the search was legal.
Confidential informants can be used in drug crimes, especially when there are larger amounts of drugs that lead to allegations of selling or trafficking drugs. Informants may work with law enforcement and provide information to them in order to receive leniency for their own criminal charges. Informants can help law enforcement make arrests by setting up controlled buys or identifying potential targets of drug investigations.
The use of informants can become a crucial part of some drug crime cases. If you are facing drug charges, it is important to know how informants were used in your case.
Different drug crimes can result in different penalties. The severity of these penalties varies depending on what you were charged with and the amount of drugs allegedly involved. Some drug crimes can result in fines, probation, or drug programs. Drug crimes can also lead to jail time or prison.
Aside from the immediate penalties, there are long-term consequences you should know about if you are facing drug crimes. A drug conviction can come up when you apply for a job, a rental agreement, or an education program. Many employers and landlords run background checks on people who apply to work or live with them. Drug crimes can have an impact on your life down the road.
Drug crime charges can also result in long-term penalties such as drug treatment programs and supervision.
What you do after you have been charged with a drug crime can affect your case. When you’re dealing with drug charges, staying composed and taking a moment to breathe is key. Do not say anything to the police or investigators without knowing your rights and understanding the situation you are in. Everything you say can be used against you, even if you are just speaking casually.
Make sure to save any information that you have that may be beneficial to your case. This can include text messages, receipts, and any other documentation that can provide context to your drug crime charge. Stay organized with your court dates, paperwork, and phone calls. Being prepared can make you feel more in control and knowledgeable about what is happening in your case.
Drug crimes can be built from traffic stops, searches of your home or vehicle, through investigations with confidential informants, or through lengthy surveillance. Drug crimes can involve one person or an organization of many individuals. Sometimes, drug crimes can take weeks, months, or years of investigation before any charges are filed.
Building a drug case can include the actual drugs that you are charged with possessing. This can include text messages, videos, photos, and financial records that law enforcement believes can prove you were dealing drugs. Because there are many ways to build a drug crime case, how the evidence was collected can become important later on.
There are many defenses to drug crimes that apply to each individual case. Some of the most common defenses used in drug crime cases include:
The prosecutor uses evidence to help prove your drug crime case. Drug crimes evidence can include the drugs that you were arrested for possessing and anything else that ties you to those drugs. Packaging, text messages, video surveillance, and financial transactions are all examples of evidence that can be used against you in a drug crime case.
How evidence is collected can also come into play with your drug crime case. If law enforcement illegally searched you, your home, or your vehicle, the evidence they collected may not be used against you in court.
Drug crimes can be separated into first-time offenses and crimes that involve previous charges. First-time drug offenses can be treated differently from repeat offenses. Courts can take prior history into consideration when reviewing your drug crime. Not only do they look at your previous charges, but they also review how those charges were disposed of and if you followed any restrictions.
A drug-related arrest can easily make you feel like everything’s falling apart. Whether you are eventually found guilty or the charges are dismissed, your drug arrest could affect your life. Missing work for attorney meetings and court appearances could put your job at risk. You might not be able to find housing if your potential landlord runs a background check and sees that you were arrested for a drug crime.
If you end up with a drug crime conviction on your record, this can impact your future opportunities. Some employers may not hire you because of your conviction. The long-term effects of a drug crime can last well after your case is over.
Making the decision on whether or not to hire a drug crimes lawyer is a personal decision. Many people think their case is cut and dry. However, there could be details in your case that you are unaware of.
An attorney can help you understand your options, know what you are facing with your drug charge, and help you prepare for what comes next. It’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into when facing a drug crime charge.
At Crescent City Law, our New Orleans criminal defense lawyer John Radziewicz takes pride in personally handling every case he accepts. Because he maintains a limited case load, John can focus on you and your needs. From Plaquemines Parish to Bonnabel Place, John believes in protecting the rights of the accused and can advocate for you in his hometown of New Orleans, LA. Contact us today for more information.
Having drugs shipped to your home with your name on the package is something that law enforcement can use as evidence that you knew drugs were being sent there. However, just because the package was shipped to you, that doesn’t mean you will be found guilty of knowing drugs were there. They can use other factors, like frequency of delivery and messages regarding the drugs and other circumstances surrounding the situation, to see if charges should be filed.
With Crescent City Law, you’ll have a lawyer that is dedicated, accountable, available, and committed
to protecting your rights and fighting for the best possible outcome.
Call For A Consultation504-264-9492
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