Bethesda Drug Distribution Lawyer
Drug distribution differs from other charges in that it does not require any amount for the crime to go up a class. If someone has a bag of heroin in their hand, that is a misdemeanor possession. If they sell that one little baggie and get $10 for it, they have just committed a felony distribution. That is all it takes. If they give it away to somebody because they do not have money and they feel bad for them, they have committed a felony distribution.
With the stakes so high, for what can seem like a minor offense, it is of the utmost importance to have a lawyer on your side. If you face drug distribution charges, seek the counsel of a determined drug attorney who can devote the time and resources necessary to build your case. A Bethesda drug distribution lawyer can work towards a positive outcome for you.
Aggravating Factors
Because it only takes one item, one piece, or one narcotic to create this felony, the biggest aggravating factor is the nature of the distribution. If they sell a dime bag of marijuana to somebody, they have committed a felony distribution. If they sell a pound of marijuana, they have committed the same act but they are going to be treated and sentenced very differently when the court date comes around. It is the same with any other narcotic. The nature of the person, the history of the person, and the nature of the type of transaction or transactions will matter.
Cracking down on drug distribution is a major priority in Bethesda. The thought is that if law enforcement and the justice system eradicate the source, then everyone at the bottom falls out. If there is one big dealer, so to speak, that can sell to thirty individuals, they might start talking to others and the dealer. If that dealer goes away, then all thirty individuals now no longer have drugs. Now, they could find another source but taking down the source is definitely more effective than preventing drugs from getting to the streets.
Prosecution’s Evidence
Often times, the prosecution will have video surveillance. They will also have live testimonies of what they saw or live testimony from undercover officers or confidential informants. The prosecution will have cell phone records, text records, and anything else they can use to establish that transaction itself and how it went about. A Bethesda drug distribution lawyer will also collect necessary evidence and can create a comprehensive picture of what has happened, and use that information to build an individual’s case.
Constitutional Issues That Arise in Drug Cases
There are a variety of constitutional issues that arise. Sometimes, if it is a controlled purchase by a police officer, a person can argue entrapment. That is one argument a Bethesda drug distribution lawyer could make to show that the person would otherwise not have done so if they were not compelled or poised to at the impulse of the officer.
Another issue is, a lot of times, they do these based on confidential informants. The confidential informants either are undercover officers or, generally speaking, people who are caught that have been working with the police in exchange for leniency or special consideration for their own charges.
A lot of times, there are recorded phone calls, there are seized cell phones and wiretaps, there are warrants that are executed, and you can challenge the legitimacy of the warrants, of the wiretaps, and anything else to try to address constitutional violations and keep out that evidence.
Elements Contested at Trial
Elements that will be contested at trial will depend on the circumstances. When dealing with constitutional violations, if those do not come up at trial, what happens is those come up before trial. All constitutional violations are addressed in advance of trial, so both sides can prepare accordingly.
At the trial itself, they will see any other evidence that can link the person and positively identify a person. Whether they were followed, whether they have other information or anything that can be used varies greatly depending on nature and circumstances.
How a Bethesda Drug Distribution Attorney Can Help
If you face drug charges, you should find an attorney that actually knows the field, knows the players, and knows most of the prosecutors and judges. It is vital to find an attorney that does this type of work, not a general practitioner, and not a young law student trying to get their feet wet once they are on the field. A person has to have someone that knows the ins and outs, what the burden of proof is, what the evidence is, and what they have to prove.
Working with an experienced Bethesda drug distribution lawyer that knows how to properly address these cases can make a world of difference in your case. If you face distribution charges, contact an attorney who can work to find a favorable outcome for you and your case.