In Texas, drug trafficking can occur whenever someone moves, distributes, smuggles, or manufactures illegal substances. Drug trade consequences are severe, and are based on a number of factors that can include:
The location where an incident took place can also affect drug trafficking consequences. When it involves transporting drugs across state lines or across the border from Mexico, the amount of jail time for moving drugs can increase substantially.
In some cases, individuals could mitigate the punishment for bringing drugs into the country because they were unwilling participants. Drug lords sometimes plant illegal substances into other vehicles that are crossing the Mexican border in order to avoid being detected themselves. As such, a defendant who was used in this manner may be able to have charges dismissed. Other possible defenses are:
In some cases, attorneys may present what are known as affirmative defenses during the sentencing phase. Affirmative defenses do not absolve people from guilt, but instead are used to show that punishment for a particular crime should be less severe. Some affirmative defenses could include youthfulness and the fact that an individual has had no prior offenses.
In any circumstance, drug charges such as these have the potential to affect defendants for years to come. To ensure the best outcome for a particular situation, those who are accused of trafficking drugs should speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as charges are brought. Contact Brett A. Podolsky today for a free legal consultation session by calling 713-227-0087.
