How Can I Fight My Federal Drug Manufacturing Charges?
Getting charged with federal drug manufacturing can be really scary. Trust me, I know. I’ve helped a lot of people in this situation before. Let’s take a deep breath and go through this step-by-step, okay?
The first thing you need to know is that federal drug charges are no joke. The feds have like a 90% conviction rate or something crazy like that. So you definitely need a really good lawyer on your side.
Understanding the Charges
Most federal drug manufacturing charges fall under 21 U.S.C. 841. This law makes it illegal to make, distribute, or possess a controlled substance like meth, cocaine, heroin, etc.
To convict you, the prosecution has to prove a few things beyond a reasonable doubt:
- You intentionally manufactured a controlled substance
- You knew it was a controlled substance
- The amount exceeded a certain threshold
They will look at factors like:
- What chemicals/equipment did you have?
- Were you caught in the act of manufacturing?
- Text messages, witness testimony, etc. showing your intent
- The amount you’re accused of making
Possible Defenses
An experienced federal drug crimes lawyer will thoroughly examine the details of your case to figure out the best defense strategy. Here are some possibilities:
You Didn’t Know It Was Illegal
If you legitimately did not know the substance was illegal to make, that could potentially be a defense. Your lawyer would need to convince the jury there’s reasonable doubt about your knowledge and intent.
Law Enforcement Misconduct
If the cops did anything sketchy or illegal during their investigation, your lawyer may be able to get evidence thrown out or charges dismissed. This includes things like:
- Searching your property without a valid warrant
- Coercing a confession out of you
- Planting evidence
- Lying about having a warrant
You’re Just an Employee
If you were employed by someone else to manufacture drugs but you didn’t realize the operation was illegal, you may be able to avoid charges. Your lawyer would argue you had no criminal intent.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
Yes, absolutely! Federal drug charges are extremely serious and you need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney on your side. The laws and specifics of federal cases can get very complicated.
A good lawyer will thoroughly examine your case, build the strongest defense, negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, etc. This greatly improves your chances of the best possible outcome.
Many lawyers offer free case evaluations and consultations. Take advantage of this to understand your options and legal rights.
Recent Changes Impacting Federal Drug Manufacturing Cases
Here are some recent developments that could potentially help people facing federal drug manufacturing charges:
Big Pharma Held Accountable
Major pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma and GlaxoSmithKline have faced massive fines and criminal charges recently for illegal marketing and sales of prescription opioids.
This sets a precedent for holding large corporations accountable for contributing to the opioid epidemic. Defense lawyers may be able to use these cases to argue federal drug prosecution has been biased or inconsistent.
Medicare Price Negotiations
Medicare recently secured agreements from 10 drug companies to negotiate lower prices on medications for conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
This could signal a broader shift around issues of healthcare affordability, corporate accountability, and ethics in the pharmaceutical industry.
Skilled federal defense lawyers may be able to utilize these developments to build compelling legal arguments and narratives around federal drug manufacturing accusations.