Drug Distribution Charges

The distribution of drugs in the United States is a felony. The charges against distribution are much more severe than against possession unless the crime charged is possession with intent to sell.

Because of the seriousness of the charges and the severity of punishment for drug distribution, it is important to be represented by an experienced, aggressive and successful attorney if you face these accusations.

Mr. Dudley is a superb federal and state lawyer. He has decades of experience successfully defending people accused of federal drug crimes charges including drug distribution. He has been representing clients facing these charges since he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1984.

Mr. Dudley will evaluate every shred of evidence in the case and will work tirelessly to get the charges reduced if not dropped completely. For example, if the evidence against you was obtained through an illegal search, criminal defense attorney David M. Dudley will uncover this information. In these circumstances, he often can get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

What Are Drug Distribution Charges?

Drug distribution has to do with the selling, transportation and illegal import of illicit substances into the United States. Most common among drugs being distributed are:

• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamines
• Heroin
• Oxycodone or pharmaceutical opiates if they are not lawfully prescribed by your doctor

Governments at all levels (local, state and federal) enforce drug distribution laws. Agencies across the judicial spectrum cooperate to find, charge, prosecute and punish those distributing illegal drugs. The government takes drug distribution extremely seriously, meting out long prison terms and large fines.

What Are the Penalties For Drug Distribution?

The severity of the punishment is determined by:

• The quantity of drugs you are accused of selling (the more drugs you are charged with distributing, the greater the fine and the longer the prison time)
• The type of drug you are charged with selling
• The effect the drug has had on buyers (if someone dies as a result of taking the drug you are accused of selling, in some states this is punishable by a mandatory prison sentence without the possibility of parole, and if a jury so decides, by the death penalty)
• Where you are selling the drugs (if you are selling near a school or places where children congregate, the penalty is more severe)
• Whether you are selling drugs to minors or targeting minors (such distribution increases your punishment)
• The age of the distributor
• Whether the crime being charged is a first or repeat offense
• The discretion of the judge, depending upon the jurisdiction

Drug Distribution Defense: Selected Results

• U.S. v. D.A.: Defendant was accused of participating in a nationwide conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs such as oxycontin. At her detention hearing, the government moved for her permanent incarceration pending trial. At the initial detention proceeding, the magistrate expressed great skepticism about her prospects for pre-trial release, detailing several concerns he had about setting bail in the matter. At the next proceeding, Attorney Dudley was able to answer all those concerns and secured his client’s release on a signature bond.
• U.S. v. H.R.: Defendant was accused of being the right-hand man to the leader of a drug-trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing over 250 kilograms of heroin from Los Angeles, California to Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Facing a mandatory sentence of 10 years and possible 20-24 years, the defendant was only sentenced to 63 months.