Federal Drug Attorney in NYC

It is a terrifying prospect to be facing criminal drug charges, even more so when the charges against you involve federal law. Drug activity can become a federal crime for a number of reasons, usually due to moving controlled substances across state lines. No matter the circumstances of your case, you need help from an experienced attorney.

Jeff Chabrowe is a former prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office who has handled federal criminal cases from both sides. We are dedicated to serving clients who face severe charges, such as conspiracy, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)-related offenses, drug trafficking and other narcotics offenses. If you have been charged with these or other serious offenses, contact Jeff today at 212-235-1510.

Understanding Federal Drug Offenses

Generally, state-level charges involve the possession of a controlled substance. The substance in question does not always matter; it could be marijuana, heroin or cocaine. What makes a charge to the higher level of a federal offense includes:

• Moving narcotics across state lines
• Using the U.S. Postal Service to transport controlled substances
• The quantity of drugs involved
• The size of the conspiracy

The sentences for federal crimes are significantly more serious than those for state crimes. An overwhelming majority of federal sentences involve a mandatory minimum amount of jail time. Consequently, you can receive a disproportionately harsh penalty, despite the fact that you are being accused of being relatively minor.

Protecting Yourself From Federal Investigations

Many federal drug charges involve the use of wiretaps, which represents one of the most blatant forms of privacy invasion here in the United States. When wiretaps are involved, people may be recorded talking about drug transactions. In other situations, confidential sources may be involved. Confidential informants or undercover officers can be sent to recover drugs from the organization or people being charged.

Some drug charges that can stem from wiretaps are:

• Drug smuggling
• Manufacturing and distribution
• RICO-related offenses and conspiracy

When people are convicted of federal drug crimes, they could possibly spend years, if not decades, in jail, especially if they were in possession of or discharged a weapon during the offense or if they have committed violent offenses or felony drug crimes in the past. Regardless of the specifics of your situation, you should contact us immediately. Jeff will aggressively fight for your rights and help you understand your options for resolving your case.

Conspiracy And RICO Charges

Many federal drug crimes are prosecuted as conspiracies or under RICO. They are often charged together as part of a criminal drug organization. Conspiracy and RICO statutes are used very broadly by law enforcement to sweep up as many people as possible in a meticulous effort to “clean up” entire organizations. This holds true even when the people who swept up have had limited involvement in the actual goings-on of the organization.

You may be charged as a co-conspirator even, for instance, if you only knew one or two out of 15 people in an organization. When you are charged this way, you can be held legally responsible for the actions of all the co-conspirators. This is why it is important to make it clear to a prosecutor that some people, yourself included, have had very limited involvement in the larger scheme of things.

Answers To Federal Drug Crimes Questions

At The Law Office of Jeffrey Chabrowe, our practice is entirely focused on criminal defense at the state and federal level. If you’re facing a drug crimes prosecution in federal court, you need to understand what you’re up against and how an experienced attorney like Jeffrey Chabrowe can help.

On this page, we’ve provided answers to some common questions we receive from clients regarding federal drug charges. After reading, you can contact our firm to discuss your own case during a free initial consultation.

What drug crimes are federal charges?

Most drug crimes can be charged at the state level, the federal level or both. If you are charged with simple possession, that will very likely be a state charge. If you are accused of a more serious felony offense, however, like drug manufacturing, drug conspiracy or drug trafficking, it very well could be a federal case.

One factor that commonly elevates a state drug case to a federal one is if the drugs or drug activity crossed state lines. Other common factors include the quantity of drugs, the size of the alleged conspiracy and whether controlled substances were transported through the use of the U.S. Postal Service.

Each case is unique, and you may not know right away whether you’ll be prosecuted by the state or the federal government. The safest course of action, then, is to hire an attorney with substantial experience in both state and federal court. Jeff Chabrowe is one such attorney.

Can you beat a federal drug charge?

Yes, it is possible, depending on the facts of the case. Search and seizure violations are one common defense. The Fourth Amendment protects each of us against unreasonable search and seizure by law enforcement. If police/investigators searched you without a warrant and without probable cause, we can petition the court to suppress the evidence discovered during the illegal search. That would mean it could not be used to convict you.

You likely won’t know your specific defense options until you consult with an experienced attorney like Mr. Chabrowe. He can analyze your case based on more than two decades of criminal law experience – including experience as a former prosecutor.

What’s the difference between federal and state drug charges?

There are numerous differences, but we will discuss two especially significant ones. First, the sentences in federal drug cases are typically harsher than if the same crime had been charged in state court. Mandatory minimum sentences are often a factor.

Second, the federal government has seemingly endless resources when it comes to investigating, charging and trying criminal defendants. This is not to say that it is easy to beat a state charge – it isn’t. But in federal court, the power disparity between the government and the accused is even greater. Therefore, you need an attorney who will aggressively defend your rights and will strategically dismantle the government’s case wherever possible.

Is evidence from wiretaps allowed in court?

Yes, it is, in both state and federal court, so long as law enforcement gathered the evidence without violating a person’s Fourth Amendment rights and meets other important criteria. Typically, law enforcement must obtain a warrant before surreptitiously listening in and recording the conversation (or other means of communication).

Wiretaps are very common in federal drug cases. If your case involves the use of wiretap evidence, your attorney will want to carefully scrutinize the evidence to determine if it contains information that could be considered exculpatory (showing your innocence), or information that does not support the conclusions drawn by prosecutors.

What can I do to fight federal drug charges?

The most important decision you will make in fighting federal drug charges is who you hire as your attorney. You need a lawyer with significant experience – preferably on both sides of the courtroom – and a strong track record of success on behalf of clients. Your attorney should also feel very comfortable taking cases to trial in a federal courtroom. You can find all of these qualities and more by contacting attorney, Jeff Chabrowe.

Get Help From a Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer

Do not try to wait out this problem. It will not go away, and it will not improve without the assistance of an experienced attorney. We can help you take matters back into your own hands. Call our office at 212-235-1510 to set up an initial consultation. You can also reach us online through our online contact form.