Carl Barkemeyer wrote the book on How to Defend Drug Charges in Louisiana. Download your free copy to learn more about the criminal process and drug defenses in Louisiana.
Drug distribution is also known as drug dealing in some areas. Whichever one you choose to call it, they mean the same thing. Well, what is drug distribution?
Drug distribution is the transportation, selling, importing or exporting of illegal drugs. These illegal drugs are controlled or scheduled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and so on. It also includes illegal selling and distribution of prescription drugs. Drug distribution has been going on over the years and it is considered a serious offense in Shreveport.
Before Being Convicted of Drug Distribution
Before you are charged as guilty of drug distribution, there are certain things the court looks into. Here they are:
· That you are fully aware that the drug you're distributing is illegal. This means you knowingly committed the crime
· That you were involved in the distribution process
· Evidence- there needs to be tangible evidence to show that you are into drug distribution.
If you've been reported by a witness, he or she needs to provide proof to show that you are guilty of the accused crime. Also, it needs to be proven that you knowingly engaged in drug distribution. Therefore, you cannot engage or involve in drug distribution without being aware that you are possessing illegal drugs. Drug possession in Caddo Parish is a different crime and drug distribution is another. If you are guilty of both, it becomes a felony. And as you know, a felony is a crime with severe consequences.
Is Drug Distribution the Same as Drug Possession?
As aforementioned, they are two different things that may look alike. Drug possession means you're in actual possession of the drugs which may be for personal use or distribution. On the other hand, drug distribution needs evidence that the drugs are not just for personal use but also for commercial purposes. This evidence may include weighing scales, a large amount of money, plastic bags, and any other incriminating evidence.
Another form of evidence could be people who sold or bought drugs from the defendant or those who were aware of the drug distribution operation.
Penalty for Drug Distribution in Louisiana
Drug distribution is a very serious offense in Caddo Parish and it is worse than drug possession.
According to the Louisiana State laws, here's what is regarded as drug distribution:
· Production, manufacture, dispensing, distribution or possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Therefore, if you are a manufacturer or producer of such drugs, you are guilty of drug distribution. In the same way, if you are not a producer or manufacturer but just a distributor, you are still guilty of the crime.
· Creation, distribution or possession with the intent to distribute a counterfeit dangerous Schedule I controlled substance.
The penalty for drug distribution is determined according to the amount of substances you were found with. Here's the penalty:
· If you are found with substances less than twenty-eight grams, the penalty is to serve a jail term of not less than one year and not more than ten years, with or without hard labor. You may also be required to pay a fine of not more than fifty thousand dollars.
· If you are found with substances of twenty-eight grams or more, you will serve a jail term of not less than one year and not more than twenty years with hard labor. Also, you may pay a fine of not more than $50,000.
As regards all these, note that for a person to be charged as guilty, it means the person has been thoroughly tried. Then, it was found that the person engaged in the operation willfully.
Note that the federal and state laws see drug distribution as a very serious offense and it is punishable before the law. Therefore, if it bypasses the state law, the federal government has every right to convict you.
Charged with Drug Distribution in Shreveport?
If you've been arrested and charged with drug distribution in Shreveport, you will need a professional criminal defense attorney to help you in your case. It is a felony which means it is a very serious offense. Therefore, the right thing to do is to get legal help from a professional.
You should try as much as possible to get a professional who knows his job and how best to do it. You will need a drug distribution lawyer in Shreveport to help you with all your judicial proceedings. Get a lawyer that fully understands Louisiana law and its stand on drug distribution. Only then can the lawyer know how to help you. If you are not buoyant enough to hire the services of a lawyer, the court needs to provide you with one. The only difference here is that the lawyer may not give you what you want. This is where we come in to help you.
Drug Defense Attorney in Shreveport
You don't need to break the bank to hire our services as we are a law firm that perfectly understands the needs of our clients. With our roots in Louisiana, we know everything about the law here and devote time to help our clients.
We have been helping citizens with their cases over the years and this will be a minor one. Every year in Louisiana, many people have drug distribution charges and we are a law firm to reckon with. You only need to reach out to us and give us a detailed explanation of everything that happened. You can trust us with any information as we know all about discreetness. We will never disclose any information you give us to a third party unless you demand so. In this light, you should give us every information that will enable us to help you.
We seek to reduce your charges if not rule it out completely. If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with drug distribution, reach out to us today and let us help you out. We will send the right Criminal Defense Attorney to you to help in your Shreveport drug case.
