Urbana Drug Conspiracy Lawyer
Federal prosecutors aggressively pursue drug conspiracy charges. A conspiracy occurs when two or more people conspire, or plan, to commit a drug crime. Due to the fact that a conspiracy involves more than just one person, pursuing these charges allows federal prosecutors to charge more than just one person. Prosecutors will use a number of techniques when trying to prove a drug conspiracy, and they are not always accurate. If you have been charged, it is critical that you speak to an Urbana drug conspiracy lawyer who can refute the evidence of the prosecution so you have the best chance of beating the charges.
How Are Drug Conspiracy Cases Investigated?
Federal law enforcement agencies have two primary tools at their disposal when prosecuting drug conspiracy cases. These are informants and wiretaps. After the authorities have identified their main suspect or suspects, wiretaps provide a way for investigators to easily gain access to a large group of people. Investigators use what was said within the group to find different leads that help them build their cases.
Wiretaps are not always accurate. The recordings must be properly interpreted, which is not something federal agencies always do. Investigators often listen to wiretaps already believing that a drug conspiracy is occurring, even when it is not. As such, they will take certain statements out of context to strengthen their case. Informant testimony is also problematic, as these individuals are usually given incentives, such as reduced jail sentences, in exchange for corroborating the prosecutor’s arguments.
Proving a Drug Conspiracy Case
Like all criminal cases they pursue, federal prosecutors have a certain burden of proof they must establish before securing a conviction. Federal prosecutors must show that two or more people conspired together to commit a drug offense. The prosecution must also show that the accused showed an intention to participate in the conspiracy. Unlike in other federal conspiracy cases, the prosecution does not have to show that the defendant committed an overt act. Still, they will often try to show overt acts, such as appearing at the scene of a drug deal, because these are often more convincing to juries.
Penalties for a Drug Conspiracy Conviction
The penalties for a drug conspiracy conviction largely vary depending on the facts of a case, but they are all very serious. When the offense involves a certain quantity of drugs, mandatory minimum sentences often apply. Certain drugs also have minimum sentences attached to them for those convicted and so, a convicted individual may face a ten or twenty-year minimum sentence.
Call Our Experienced Drug Conspiracy Lawyer in Urbana
Drug conspiracy charges are extremely serious and if convicted, you will face very harsh penalties. At Patel Law, PC, our Urbana drug conspiracy lawyer has the necessary experience to prepare a strong defense that will give you the best chance of retaining your freedom. Call us now at 217.384.1111 or connect with us online to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about how our seasoned attorney can help.
