New Orleans Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Trafficking charges typically involve larger amounts of drugs, allegations of distribution to other parties, or organized activity. Being charged with any drug violation can be intimidating, leaving you unsure of what to do. If you are charged, a New Orleans drug trafficking lawyer at Crescent City Law can help you advocate for your rights and future.

About Crescent City Law

Crescent City Law is a criminal defense law firm located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our founder, John Radziewicz, is a criminal defense attorney who cares about clients who have been accused of serious criminal offenses. Oftentimes, our clients feel like they can’t win against the government.

John believes in giving his clients the personalized attention they deserve and provides trustworthy, quality service to those who need a champion on their side. From St. Charles to St. Tammany Parish, we’re here to listen to your story and provide you with a strong defense.

Drug trafficking charges are filed in many different courts in New Orleans, and many felony level drug trafficking cases are handled by local judges. Your charges may involve an interplay of intent to distribute, distribution, and trafficking. In fact, most drug cases involve a combination of all three. As a result, make sure you work with an experienced attorney who has a track record of success handling cases for clients.

Whether you live near Jefferson Parish or near New Orleans East, you need a lawyer who understands Louisiana’s drug trafficking laws and can explain them to you so you can make an informed decision about your future.

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Understanding Drug Laws

Drug trafficking involves manufacturing or distributing controlled substances. While some drug trafficking charges may include possession of drugs, these crimes usually involve intent to distribute the drugs to another party, and full distribution charges. Intent to distribute is often defined by evidence that the drugs were never meant to be consumed by only the person in possession.

Courts look at a variety of factors when making this determination, including the quantity of drugs found, how the drugs were packaged, and any additional evidence that leads them to believe distribution was occurring. This could be evidence of scales, cash payments, communications with other individuals, especially on social media, or simply large quantities of the controlled substance.

In some cases, you could be charged with trafficking even if you were not seen selling the drugs. Drug trafficking cases involve investigating a variety of factors in addition to simply proving that drugs were found in your possession.

You may face charges for possession with intent to distribute (PWIT) drugs. Prosecutors must prove you knowingly possessed illegal drugs and you intended to sell or share them, rather than keeping them for your own personal use. The potential penalties are strict and depend on the drug classification and the amount of the substance. If you’re charged with PWIT, speak with a reputable attorney at Crescent City Law about your case specifics so we can build your defense.

Drug Charges in Context

In fiscal year 2024, the Commissionreceived reports of 61,678 cases, of which 18,150 implicated drugs. Drug trafficking was involved in 18,029 of those cases. 98.3% of drug trafficking cases involve seven different types of drugs.

You could face charges in New Orleans for possession with intent, actual distribution, and trafficking. Most cases we see at Crescent City Law actually involve an overlap of all three offenses. Give us a call to discuss your specific charges and to learn how we can help.

Common Factors of Drug Cases

Many drug cases are built upon information gathered during investigations. Police departments and drug task forces often spend months building cases against criminal organizations before anyone is arrested. Police use evidence such as:

• Finding large quantities of drugs
• Drug packaging materials
• Drug scales or other distribution equipment
• Proof of payments
• Tracking communications

Potential Penalties for Drug-Related Charges

Drug-related charges are some of the most serious crimes a person can face. For this reason, these offenses can result in someone facing years in prison if convicted, massive fines, and a lifetime of consequences.

A drug-related conviction can impact nearly every aspect of your future, from your job prospects to where you can find housing or pursue education. This is why drug cases are taken so seriously. Drug crime offenses that involve special circumstances, such as intent to distribute near a school or trafficking large quantities of drugs, can be looked at more severely.

Long-Term Effects of a Drug Case

Drug-related charges can have many long-term effects on your life. People often face life disruptions even before their case is finished. For example, you may have trouble at work or in your personal life while dealing with a case. If you’re convicted, you could face long-term repercussions that could impact your future, including the loss of your right to possess a firearm. Because of this, it’s important to understand what to expect when facing drug charges.

Investigations in Drug Cases

One important distinction between drug crime allegations and many other criminal cases is that they frequently arise from investigations. Police may use surveillance or confidential informants to collect information over an extended period of time. In some cases, law enforcement can work with other officers, such as federal agencies, to conduct planned operations.

Drug investigations can become quite complex, with many defendants and overlapping charges. With that in mind, the evidence introduced at trial may consist of hundreds of pages of recorded phone and transcribed calls, texts, social media, and financial documents.

Due to the intricate nature of these investigations, there may be opportunities to challenge how the evidence is interpreted.

Defending Against Drug Crime Cases

Drug charges can be complex and require a careful defense strategy. Since prosecutors typically need to prove multiple elements to make a case, your defense could address each point individually and as part of the overall story.

Some common defenses include arguments against unlawful search and seizure, disputing that the evidence presented proves intent to distribute, or challenging the credibility of witnesses and informants. Sometimes, the defense can concentrate on whether the defendant knew about or controlled the drugs. As every case is different, specific facts can determine how you wish to proceed.

What To Do If You’re Arrested for Drug Trafficking

Time is of the essence after being arrested on drug trafficking charges. You are booked, fingerprinted, and officially charged. Your first court date is when a judge formally addresses the accusations and decides on bail or release terms. If you have been arrested for drug trafficking:

• Remain calm. If you have been arrested for drug trafficking, it is important to take care of a few things before speaking to law enforcement. You have the right to remain silent, and anything you say can be used against you.
• Hold on to possible evidence. If you have text messages, videos, or any record of events that could help your case, make sure you hang onto them. What may seem insignificant to you could prove your intention or lack thereof.
• Learn what you’re up against. Read about your charges and how they are being applied to you. You have a right to know what you are being accused of and how the law views it.
• Learn your process. Reading about what to expect after your arrest can help you feel less anxious about the situation. When you know what to expect, you can think with a clearer head instead of reacting.

Be sure to hire a drug trafficking lawyer. They can help you understand drug trafficking laws and the charges against you.

Hire a Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Drug trafficking charges are typically more complex than other drug charges. They often deal with issues such as search and seizure or how evidence was obtained and handled. This can leave people wondering if they should hire a drug trafficking lawyer.

Your lawyer can look for violations of your rights when police conduct a search or arrest you. They can also determine if the evidence was mishandled at any point. When this information is discovered, it can make a huge impact on your case. Drug trafficking charges can also involve other people. Therefore, a New Orleans drug trafficking attorney might explore arguments involving conflicting testimonies or shared blame to build a defense.

Contact Crescent City Law Today

At Crescent City Law, we understand how serious a drug trafficking accusation can be to your life and future. If you have been charged with drug trafficking, you do not have to handle the legal aftermath alone. Crescent City Law can help. Contact us today to speak with a representative.

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