Drug Trafficking Lawyers in Madison, WI

Dedicated Legal Advocates Helping You Fight Back Against the System

Drug trafficking is one of the most serious criminal charges an individual can face. If convicted of the crime, an individual can be sentenced to a significant amount of time in prison, be ordered to pay steep fines, and lose many of their civil rights. Drug trafficking is a felony offense; if found guilty, the individual will forever be branded as a convicted felon. Individuals with a felony conviction on their record find it difficult, if not impossible, to find gainful employment, obtain housing, serve in the military, or legally own a firearm. That’s why you need a drug trafficking lawyer in Madison, WI on your side.

At Casper Mehlos Law Group, our dedicated team of legal professionals is experienced in cases ranging from drug possession charges to federal trafficking allegations. If you have been charged with drug trafficking, you must immediately speak with a qualified attorney. Our drug trafficking lawyers have comprehensive experience handling high-profile drug cases and have a proven track record of obtaining favorable results for our clients. Contact Casper Mehlos Law Group, of Madison, WI, to learn more information about how we may be able to assist you with your case.

We offer a free initial consultation, so you have nothing to lose by reaching out.

What Is Considered to Be Drug Trafficking?

Regardless of where the alleged drug trafficking occurs, it is always considered a federal offense. Federal law stipulates that drug trafficking occurs when an individual manufactures, possesses, or distributes illegal narcotics. Additionally, if an individual possesses illegal narcotics intending to sell, dispense, or manufacture, this is also considered drug trafficking. Individuals may be charged with drug trafficking if they possess large quantities of an illegal drug or cash.

Federal statutes are designed in such a way that law enforcement has the legal right to assume that individuals who possess large quantities of drugs and cash have the intent to sell or distribute them even without direct evidence. Just envision: a person could find themselves in federal court simply because they had a certain amount of money on them when detained. In these cases, they could end up as targets for either the state or federal government. In some instances, both.

Of course, these charges rely on a substantial amount of assumptions on the part of authorities and the prosecution. Even recreational drug users sometimes find themselves facing these serious charges. In some instances, it’s due to an honest mistake or assumption on the part of the police. In other cases, the prosecutor may overcharge in order to improve their position in plea negotiations. Whatever the case, lengthy prison sentences are possible – so contact a Madison, WI drug trafficking lawyer today.

What Should You Do After an Arrest for Drug Crimes?

Maybe you’re facing simple possession allegations, or maybe it’s trafficking charges. Perhaps you’ve been accused of state criminal acts, or perhaps you allegedly committed federal drug crimes. Whatever the circumstances of your case, you should always start by exercising your right to remain silent. Far too many people accused of a drug crime make the mistake of speaking with police. Officers frequently use coercive tactics to solicit confessions. In some cases, these confessions turn out to be false.

Did you know that – out of the hundreds of cases where convictions were overturned due to DNA evidence obtained – 25% of the cases involved false confessions? This means police officer interrogation tactics were so coercive that innocent people admitted to serious crimes they never committed. Regardless of whether you’re innocent or not, this is clear evidence that no one should speak with the police. Even if you think doing so will clear you, there’s a good chance you’re wrong.

Next, everyone facing such charges should contact a drug trafficking attorney in Madison, WI. A legal professional can review your case, help you understand your options, work to get charges thrown out or reduced, negotiate favorable plea deals, and handle your case at trial if it comes to that. Under state law, proving drug trafficking involves establishing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt – and prosecutors are quite skilled at this. That’s why you need a legal professional on your side.

What Are the Criminal Penalties For Drug Trafficking in Wisconsin?

The criminal penalties for drug trafficking greatly depend on the facts and circumstances surrounding the case. Nevertheless, individuals charged with drug trafficking must understand that even if this is their first charge or drug offense, they can still be sentenced to a significant amount of time in prison. Because factors vary significantly in drug trafficking cases, the penalties can greatly differ based on the underlying circumstances of the charges.

For example, suppose an individual is convicted of trafficking Schedule I substances such as marijuana, LSD, or heroin. In that case, they could be sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to 1 million dollars. This is a terrifying outcome – particularly once you realize a person may be guilty of nothing more than simple possession charges. In some instances, an individual could have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

However, even this severe potential penalty isn’t the worst possible outcome. For instance, prosecutors can be especially harsh if they believe a drug trafficking offense resulted in death or another individual being seriously harmed. If you’re facing drug charges, you should always speak with an attorney prior to discussing anything with police or prosecutors. Since death or serious injury can result in life imprisonment, though, working with an attorney becomes absolutely critical.

Whether you’re accused of violating state or federal drug laws, you need a team of dedicated attorneys on your side. That’s what you’ll find at Casper Mehlos Law Group. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Why Was I Arrested For Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place?

Wisconsin law dictates that it is illegal for anyone to knowingly maintain a location for which others can manufacture, keep, deliver, or use controlled substances. However, two separate charges pertain to maintaining a drug trafficking place, both misdemeanors. First, individuals may be charged with a misdemeanor offense if they allow others to come and use drugs. The other charge is solely based on maintaining a dwelling or other location, manufacturing, storing, or delivering the controlled substances.

If you were arrested and charged with maintaining a drug trafficking place, law enforcement had reason to believe that illegal activities were occurring at the location. Law enforcement officials also had reason to believe that you were aware of the illegal activity. If found guilty, you could be sentenced to up to a year in jail and a fine of $25,000. However, this type of drug trafficking charge is often in addition to possession with intent to distribute, which is punishable by 2.5 to 15 years in prison and a fine ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Clearly, these are serious consequences. This is one of the few drug crimes where you can be held accountable simply for having others with illegal drugs on your property. In some instances, the defendant may have arguably been unaware of what was going on. However, the exact circumstances of your case are less important than the fact that you have a right to defend yourself against criminal charges. A drug trafficking lawyer in Madison, WI can be an invaluable ally in this endeavor.

Wisconsin law takes a hardline stance on drug offenses – so make sure you have an experienced legal defense team on your side.

What Are the Legal Defense Strategies for Drug Trafficking Charges?

Whether you’re charged under state law, the Controlled Substances Act, or any other number of anti-drug laws, it’s important to remember that you have a presumption of innocence. Of course, the prosecutor doesn’t believe you’re innocent – and the prosecution’s evidence is geared to convincing others of this belief. There’s a good chance that police and the District Attorney will tell you that the case is “open and shut” – and that you have no real way to avoid conviction.

However, this is typically just to elicit a plea deal. Even if you’re only arrested under suspicion of possessing a controlled substance or selling drugs, you may be overcharged. Of course, the prosecution may also believe that you’re guilty of all charges brought against you. Regardless of the underlying causes, they’re going to seek the most severe punishment possible – even if they imply that they’re “going easy” on you. This is why it’s critical to work with criminal defense lawyers.

At Casper Mehlos Law Group, we’ve seen the tactics police and prosecutors use to secure convictions. Many of their strategies border on coercive, and at times, they completely trample that proverbial line. That’s why anyone facing a drug charge-particularly one as serious as trafficking-should contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation today.

What’s the Best Defense for Drug Trafficking Charges?

State and federal drug charges have many differences – particularly when it comes to elements of the crime and potential penalties. However, the major similarity that they share is that they must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Even if police officers allegedly “caught you red-handed,” this does not mean that the government can secure a conviction. As it turns out, there are a variety of legal defenses for drug trafficking cases:

Unlawful search and seizure
Lack of intent to distribute
Entrapment
Insufficient evidence
Chain of custody issues
Duress or coercion
Mistaken identity
Lack of control over the illegal substances
False allegations
Violation of legal procedures
Medical necessity
Substance misidentification by police or lab techs
Lack of direct evidence

Any crime with drugs involved can lead to serious repercussions. The legal system is meant to be fair and just, but far too often, it instead is severe and unfair. Travesties of justice happen every day, and no matter a person’s culpability, they deserve the presumption of innocence and fair trial. Our law firm is here to make sure that happens. Contact our drug trafficking defense attorneys in Madison, WI today for a free consultation. We’re here to help.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect From Your Law Firm?

It’s hard to explain just how strict Wisconsin law is on any drug-involved offense. Even possessing drug paraphernalia in the state – devoid of any actual illegal drugs in your possession – can result in serious legal outcomes. Of course, the penalties for drug trafficking in our state are far more severe. Even without prior convictions and other factors that can increase charges, an individual could find themselves in prison for decades. This is not something that should be taken lightly.

At Casper Mehlos Law Group, we’ve seen what drug trafficking charges can do to a person’s life. Things can go from completely normal to forever changed, and all it takes is a moment of involvement with law enforcement officials. If you have been charged with any offense related to drug trafficking, you must seek qualified legal representation immediately. Your future is at stake, and you need an attorney who will fight for your freedom.

If you hire our law firm to handle your case, we will immediately examine the prosecution’s evidence against you. In addition, we will thoroughly review all witness testimony to look for weaknesses in the case and build a solid defense strategy on your behalf. We won’t tell you that the road ahead will be easy – particularly with charges this serious or when federal authorities get involved – but we will fight diligently to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.

Contact us at (608) 820-8926 to schedule a free case review today. Our Madison, WI drug trafficking lawyers are here to help answer your questions and explain your legal options.