Prosecuting drug crimes has been a law enforcement priority for decades. Federal authorities have increased their enforcement presence in the Fort Lauderdale area to aggressively investigate and prosecute drug crimes. These agencies are well-resourced and committed to getting convictions.
When you are charged with a federal drug crime, you need an expert South Florida federal drug lawyer in your corner. At Rossen Law Firm, we understand the nature of these charges and have extensive experience combatting federal prosecutors. Our federal defense attorneys will work tirelessly to protect your rights and your future.
Depending on the nature of a drug crime, it may be handled by federal authorities instead of the state. This federal jurisdiction applies to drug smuggling across international borders and drug trafficking across state lines. A case might also be brought to federal court because a federal agent handled the arrest. Even a possession charge in Fort Lauderdale could be a federal offense if a DEA agent was the arresting officer.
The investigatory process for drug crimes is slightly different in state and federal courts. In a state drug case, the county District Attorney is usually not involved in the investigations. In contrast, when a drug case is brought to federal court, a U.S. Attorney will actively direct investigations to try and bring about a conviction. Our Fort Lauderdale federal drug attorneys have experience handling cases in both state and federal court, and we understand what it takes to build the strongest possible defense.
Federal drug charges often carry harsh sentences and, in many cases, require judges to impose mandatory minimum prison sentences. Prosecutors often use the threat of a lengthy prison term as an inducement to get information.
When an accused has information about other players in a drug manufacturing or distribution operation, prosecutors may be willing to negotiate a lesser charge or even drop a charge in exchange for the accused’s testimony. These offers are always worth considering, though an experienced lawyer can provide insight and advice on whether a prosecutor’s offer is worth accepting given the circumstances of a case.
These deals also mean that federal prosecutors can use confidential informants and people facing criminal charges to provide testimonial evidence of drug activity. In these cases, a South Florida attorney could try to discredit the motives or reliability of the government witnesses to defend against federal drug charges.
The strongest defense against a federal drug charge depends on the circumstances and available evidence. A South Florida attorney could question the government’s claims regarding the quantity and identity of the illegal substance, including whether everyone who encountered the substance followed appropriate handling procedures and chain of custody protocols.
Government agents sometimes fail to secure the necessary authorizations for surveillance or may use search warrants with errors that render them ineffective. Bringing a problem in a warrant to the judge’s attention could result in the judge throwing out the tainted evidence, which could lead to the court dropping charges.
An expert legal team will be able to analyze the government’s evidence and identify its weaknesses. From here, a federal drug lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can then utilize these weaknesses to demonstrate that the prosecutor does not have sufficient proof of the alleged crime to support a conviction.
Federal drug charges carry severe consequences that can have a devastating impact on your future. You have the best chance at a positive outcome if you trust your defense to a board-certified attorney with experience handling similar cases.
A South Florida federal drug lawyer at Rossen Law Firm can assess your case, build a robust defense on your behalf, and fight for you in court. We are passionate about defending our clients, and we will leave no stone unturned in building your case. Call our office today to schedule your free strategy session with a dedicated member of our team.
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