Albuquerque Drug Trafficking Lawyers
Proven Albuquerque Drug Trafficking Attorneys Ready To Assist You
Drug trafficking is a felony charge that applies to the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, or distribution, of illegal drugs, whether within the state, across state lines, or across national borders. Possession of a large enough amount of an illegal substance is presumed to be for the purpose of selling it, and even in the absence of any attempt to sell or distribute the drug, you can be charged with trafficking simply because you have been caught holding it. A drug trafficking law firm can defend your legal rights if accused of drug trafficking. Don’t hesitate to contact the New Mexico Criminal Law Offices.
If you are convicted of drug trafficking, it could potentially land you in prison for years, along with substantial fines, not to mention the loss of your right to vote, own a gun, or hold public office. Society imposes additional penalties if you have a felony criminal record: You’ll have difficulty finding employment and housing, and may not be admitted to some colleges and universities or if you are, you will probably not qualify for financial assistance.
New Mexico law enforcement officers aggressively pursue arrests and convictions in drug trafficking cases involving those controlled substances with the highest potential for abuse, particularly methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. In light of the extremely harsh penalties that come with a conviction, if you’re facing a drug trafficking charge, you need a knowledgeable and highly skilled Albuquerque drug trafficking attorney to enforce your rights and fight the charge.
Penalties for Drug Trafficking State vs. Federal Charges
The penalties you could be facing on a drug trafficking charge will depend on whether it is prosecuted under New Mexico state law or under federal law. In New Mexico’s criminal justice system, trafficking is a 2nd-degree felony, punishable by up to 9 years in prison for a first offense. A second offense can send you away for 18 years.
In addition, if you are accused of any drug trafficking activity in specially designated drug-free areas, including in the vicinity of schools, daycare centers, or parks, or any drug transaction involving a minor, you will be subjected to enhanced penalties.
Drug trafficking is charged as a federal offense when it has been investigated by a federal law enforcement agency, when it involves activity in multiple states, or if the quantity of drugs meets the federal threshold. A federal conviction where a large amount of drugs is involved can bring you a prison term of between 5 and 40 years. If you are not a United States citizen, you can be deported following a drug trafficking conviction.
New Mexico Criminal Defense Law Firm
A drug trafficking prosecution can be an intimidating experience, at least without a seasoned Albuquerque drug trafficking lawyer by your side. Criminal court, whether at the state or federal level, is not much like what you might see on “Judge Judy” or “Law and Order.” Rules of evidence and criminal procedure are complex and arcane, and both prosecutors and police have a bag of tricks up their sleeve.
Meanwhile, your freedom and your reputation are on the line. When you are faced with the possibility of years or even decades behind bars, you are going to need a professional to guide you through the criminal justice system maze. At New Mexico Criminal Law Offices, we won’t play games with your future. Let our skilled Albuquerque drug trafficking lawyers handle your case.
Ken and Jack proved to be diligent, ethical and hard working. They achieved our goals and were dedicated to my case. I would highly recommend Ken and Jack.
Highly recommend. Ken Gleria lived up to his excellent reputation. He proved to be completely honest with me and had my best interest at heart. Case dismissed in 4 months. He initially told me it would be about 6 months. Colleagues and staff outstanding as well. Will trust him again if the occasion should ever arise (hopefully not).
I unhesitatingly recommend this firm.Their knowledge of the law resulted in the dismissal of my case.In every instance they were there for me in communicating the status of my case, my calls were promptly returned, and Jackie, the paralegal, was very helpful. You will be in good hands.
Jack & his legal team are outstanding! Being a single mother, fighting for her fathers freedom, the front desk personally helped by watching my son as Jack & I sorted out legal matters. Jack went above & beyond to ensure paperwork was submitted in a timely manner, even if it meant traveling numerous miles to various court houses. Jack is highly educated and impressive in the courtroom. Jack remained patient as our family struggled to understand New Mexico’s broken law system. This year Jack has given us the greatest gift of them all, my father is home celebrating the holidays with his family. I would highly recommend Jack & his team for all of your criminal law needs.
We Don’t Back Down
The New Mexico criminal justice system is adversarial to its core. That reality renders a prosecution something like a war, in which every detail matters, and even a small mistake can be disastrous. At New Mexico Criminal Law Offices, we offer the bold and aggressive representation that a criminal prosecution calls for. We know all the tricks because we have seen them before many times.
Individualized Representation
One lesson that twenty years of criminal law practice has taught us is that no two cases are exactly alike. A criminal case is composed of a labyrinth of abstract fact patterns. Out of these fact patterns, new applications of existing criminal law can be used to construct a defensive wall that the prosecution will find difficult to penetrate. Never forget – ultimately, all you need is reasonable doubt.
We will look deeply into the fact patterns that make up your case, listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and conduct a thorough investigation. In this way, we can craft a legal strategy that is tailor-made to the exact details of your case and your individual concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How are drug trafficking penalties calculated?
Many factors go into calculating drug trafficking sentences, including:
- What kind of drug you were caught with
- How much of the drug you were caught with
- Where you were caught – penalties are harsher if you are caught carrying drugs over the border or distributing them in a “drug-free zone.”
What are “mandatory minimums?”
“Mandatory minimums” are minimum lengths of federal prison terms for certain offenses, including drug trafficking. If you are subject to a mandatory minimum of five years, for example, you will be ineligible for parole or probation for five years. Certain loopholes exist, however.
Can I get drugs excluded from evidence even if they were seized with a warrant?
This is possible if the search warrant was defective in some way. A search warrant must establish “probable cause” and several other requirements. A search warrant is particularly likely to be invalid if its text contains lies, errors, or significant omissions.
What is the federal “statutory safety valve?”
The statutory safety valve is an exception to mandatory minimums that allow a convict to be sentenced to less than the mandatory minimum if:
- The offense was nonviolent;
- The defendant played no significant managerial role; and
- The defendant has little or no criminal history.
What is the entrapment defense?
The entrapment defense applies when law enforcement personnel induce someone to commit a crime that probably never would have occurred otherwise. If this defense applies, charges will be dropped or the defendant will be acquitted. The entrapment defense is designed to prevent the police from initiating crimes just so they can arrest you for participating in them.
Professionals in Your Corner
New Mexico Criminal Law Offices is small – just the two of us, plus our incredibly dedicated support staff. We are certainly not a mega-firm whose clients are treated like case numbers unless they are celebrities or mob bosses. We will approach your case with the same care and concern that we would exercise if we were the ones being prosecuted.
Our stellar record in defending our clients has won us the respect of judges and prosecutors alike, although we must admit (proudly!) that prosecutors find us quite frustrating at times. Our approach works – comparing original charges versus ultimate results, we have saved our clients a cumulative total of literally thousands of years of prison time.
Facing Drug Trafficking Charges in New Mexico? Contact our Proficient Albuquerque Drug Trafficking Attorneys Today
It’s time to fight back. If you are being investigated for drug trafficking anywhere in New Mexico, or if you have already been charged with a drug trafficking offense, contact us today for a free initial consultation on your case.
Our experienced legal practitioner also handles other types of cases, including:
- DUI
- Domestic Abuse
- Assault & Battery
- Child Neglect
- Homicide
- Larceny
- Minor in Possession
- Probation Violation
- Resisting Arrest
- Restraining Order
- Robbery
- White Collar Crime
- Expungement
- Sex Crimes Defense
