Nebraska Federal Drug Lawyer

The federal government treats drug offenses very seriously, and the federal sentencing guidelines call for harsh penalties for those convicted of drug crimes. Drug possession, distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking all can result in lengthy federal prison sentences, high fines, a permanent felony criminal record, and more. A Nebraska federal drug lawyer could evaluate your situation and determine the best means of building a defense to the charges you are facing.

An experienced federal criminal defense lawyer could investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest and charges to identify the best course of action for your case. Depending on your situation, the determined attorneys at Berry Law may be able to help you secure a more positive outcome.

Federal Drug Charges in Nebraska

While individuals can face both state and federal drug charges, federal charges result when the offenses take place on federal property or when the alleged crimes involve federal agents. Most commonly, drug cases end up in federal court when large amounts of drugs are involved in drug trafficking schemes that cross state borders. The involvement of more than one jurisdiction places the case in interstate commerce, which is one basis for federal jurisdiction.

Drug charges can range from the possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription to large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking operations. Some of the most common drug charges include:

• Possession
• Trafficking, including manufacturing, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute large amounts of drugs
• Manufacturing
• Drug conspiracy

These common federal drug charges can carry the potential for severe penalties, including high fines and lengthy sentences of incarceration in federal prison. When facing any federal drug charge, it is important to contact a diligent federal drug lawyer in Nebraska for advice.

Classification of Charges

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, all drugs and their analogues fall into various schedules based on their risk of misuse, their level of addictive qualities, their danger to the public, and their accepted medical uses. These schedules range from Schedule I, which contains the most dangerous and highly addictive drugs with no acceptable medicinal purposes, to Schedule V, which includes the least harmful drugs that have valid medical applications.

For most drug offenses, the schedule of the drug and the quantity of the drug determine the nature and the severity of the federal drug charges. As a result, simple possession of a small amount of a Schedule IV drug will generally result in less severe charges and penalties than distributing or manufacturing large amounts of a Schedule I drug.

Federal Drug Offense Penalties

As is the case with the level of charges for drug offenses, the penalties for federal drug offenses vary according to the type and the amount of the drugs involved, as well as the nature of the crime. Possession or distribution of some amounts of certain drugs will result in mandatory minimum federal prison sentences. Life prison terms also are a possibility in some federal drug offense cases.

Federal sentencing guidelines also provide for specific enhancements to some drug cases, which can increase penalties in federal drug offenses. Some common examples of these enhancements include prior drug convictions, distribution of drugs to minors, and the distribution of drugs within certain school zones. These enhancements can add years to a potential prison sentence in federal drug cases.

Call a Nebraska Federal Drug Attorney for Advice

Getting legal advice as soon as you become aware of a federal drug investigation or charges against you can be crucial to achieving the most favorable outcome possible in your case. A Nebraska federal drug lawyer could advocate on your behalf to reach a better resolution of the charges against you. Our team at Berry Law has defended hundreds of clients facing drug charges. Call today to schedule a confidential consultation.