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Louisiana Federal Drug Conspiracy Defense Lawyer

Call Us | 318-377-1555

Federal Drug Conspiracy Defense Lawyer in Louisiana

Individuals who knowingly facilitate or further the criminal sale, distribution, or trafficking of narcotics or controlled substances can be charged with drug conspiracy. A conspirator never has to come in actual contact with narcotics or controlled substances to be charged. Making a phone call or setting up buys is enough to be charged with drug conspiracy. When you’re facing drug conspiracy charges, it’s vital to work with an experienced attorney who can explain the charges against you so you can work alongside them to create a strong defense strategy.

Attorney Eric G. Johnson of John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm is renowned for handling criminal cases across Louisiana, including drug conspiracy cases. We use our expertise and experience to make a significant difference in your case.

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What Is Drug Conspiracy in Louisiana?

Drug conspiracy is the concept of an underlying criminal agreement between two or more individuals to commit a drug crime. The three primary components of a conspiracy are:

  • Agreement to commit a crime
  • Intent to commit a crime 
  • Act to execute the agreement 

In a federal conspiracy case, there needs to be an agreement between people to commit a crime. If the intended crime is to sell narcotics prohibited under federal law, then a federal prosecutor can charge those involved as co-conspirators. It’s important to note that co-conspirators don’t have to know all the specific details of the crime, but they must know and have agreed to participate. Drug conspiracy charges can be filed against:

  • The potential seller
  • Potential buyer 
  • Drug suppliers
  • Go-between parties 
  • All other members of the conspiracy

The key element is that the prosecutor must be able to prove the existence of an agreement to commit a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Overt Acts in a Federal Drug Conspiracy Crime 

In addition to a proven agreement and intent to commit a crime, a conspirator must have taken overt acts to further the conspiracy and enact the crime. According to federal law, section 846, when filing an indictment in federal court, it must contain a list of specific overt acts in which the members of the charged conspiracy have allegedly undertaken. These actions can be:

  • Direct action such as showing up at the drug deal or selling narcotics
  • Indirect action such as providing another member of the conspiracy with information
  • Assistance to further the success of the conspiracy

A valid legal defense against a drug conspiracy charge is stating that the defendant decided to abandon the conspiracy before the actual crime was attempted. This means that if a co-conspirator breaks the agreement that initially formed the conspiracy, the larger conspiracy could remain active. However, the defendant chose to abandon the conspiracy, and they cannot be held responsible for additional future crimes committed by the remaining members.

Federal Sentencing in Drug Conspiracy Cases 

Under federal sentencing guidelines for a drug crime (especially for those involving massive quantities of narcotics), there are mandatory minimums and high offense levels. Meaning that if a defendant is found guilty, they could potentially face a substantial number of years in federal prison and millions of dollars in fines. Federal drug conspiracy charges carry maximum penalties of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine. If firearms are involved or other types of offenses or criminal history, the maximum terms in prison can go from 40 years to life. Furthermore, a conviction could lead to forfeiture of property. 

Due to the nature of the offense, most defendants charged with drug conspiracy offenses will also face an extensive investigation from federal law enforcement agencies. These investigations often involve video and audio recordings of the actual, alleged drug crime.

Drug conspiracy crimes are prosecuted aggressively, and the sentencing is equally aggressive and severe. Being convicted for drug conspiracy may result in:

  • A strike on your record 
  • Loss of your driver’s license
  • Difficulty keeping or getting jobs

Once you’ve gotten out of prison, these circumstances can lead to homelessness and other difficulties. This is why it’s important to take proactive steps the moment you become aware of a drug conspiracy investigation against you to contact a skilled and qualified federal drug conspiracy defense attorney. 

Federal Drug Conspiracy Defense 

The prosecution must establish that there was an agreement between two or more people to prove that a defendant is guilty of a drug conspiracy charge, that the defendant knew of the conspiracy’s existence, and that the defendant voluntarily joined the conspiracy. They do not need to prove you know the full scope of the conspiracy or all the people involved but that you have engaged in overt acts to further the conspiracy. Even if you didn’t follow through with the drug crime, you could still be charged and face lengthy prison sentences and considerable fines. 

Fortunately, U.S. law detects that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it’s up to the prosecution to prove their claims beyond a reasonable doubt. A major element to beating a drug conspiracy charge is challenging the prosecution’s version of events and raising reasonable doubt about your alleged guilt. Possible defense strategies for a drug conspiracy case include:

  • There was no agreement
  • You were not aware of the agreement
  • You did not intend to join the conspiracy
  • You know about or were present when the agreement was initiated, but you didn’t join
  • The agreement was made under duress
  • You withdrew from the agreement
  • You were entrapped
  • The evidence against you was obtained during an illegal search 

Federal drug laws are tricky, and getting tangled up in a drug conspiracy case can be easy without even realizing you’ve stepped into a conspiracy. You have the right to defend yourself against those charges. The best way to do so is by working with a dedicated federal drug crime defense attorney specializing in federal drug crime conspiracy cases.

Contact an Experienced Louisiana Federal Drug Conspiracy Defense Attorney Today 

Federal drug crime cases are serious, and the charges can substantially impact your life in the worst ways. At John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, we know that these charges have the potential to cause severe damage to people’s lives. Attorney Eric G. Johnson understands that drug conspiracy laws can be vague and trip up many people. He is committed to his clients, ensuring they understand the charges against them and feel confident in their defense strategy. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation at (318) 377-1555, or fill out our contact form.