Drug charges are serious enough but drug trafficking or distribution charges can result in even more serious penalties and consequences for accused individuals. Individuals facing drug charges and accusations and allegations of drug trafficking should know how serious the charges they are facing are but should also be familiar with the criminal defense options available to help them.
Drug trafficking includes the selling, transporting and importing of illegal drugs. Drug trafficking charges are commonly felony charges which are more serious criminal charges. Drug trafficking and distribution charges can apply to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and other illegal drugs. Drug trafficking charges can result in stiff prison sentences of 3 to 5 years, or even life, in prison.
The severity of the penalty the accused individual is facing can increase based on what type of drugs were involved, where the drugs were sold or if children were involved. Drug trafficking charges are more serious than drug possession charges. If the accused individual is allegedly found with a large quantity of drugs or paraphernalia commonly associated with drug trafficking, they may face more serious drug distribution charges.
It is important for accused individuals facing drug trafficking charges to be familiar with their criminal defense rights and how to assert those rights. It is also important to ask if authorities violated the accused individual’s constitutional rights and if the actions of authorities complied with the and safeguards that are part of the criminal justice system for the protection of accused individuals. If authorities failed to follow proper procedures, or violated the accused individual’s rights, it may form the basis of a criminal defense response. Knowing how to defend themselves is essentially for anyone accused of drug trafficking.
