Fighting Drug Trafficking Allegations in Maryland

 Posted on July 23, 2024 in Drug Crimes

Drug trafficking charges in Maryland carry severe consequences, including substantial fines and lengthy prison sentences. If you find yourself facing drug trafficking allegations, it is helpful to understand both the legal repercussions and potential defense strategies. A Maryland lawyer can help to protect your rights and future.

What to Know About Maryland’s Drug Trafficking Laws

Maryland law defines drug trafficking as the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances. The state categorizes drugs into five schedules, with Schedule I drugs like heroin carrying the harshest penalties. Depending on factors such as the type and quantity of drugs involved, as well as any prior convictions, sentences can range from five years to life imprisonment.

Primary Defense Strategies

Given these high stakes, a strong defense strategy is essential. Here are three powerful approaches that can be employed:

Challenging the Search and Seizure

Law enforcement must adhere to strict protocols when conducting searches and seizures. Any violation of your Fourth Amendment rights could result in the suppression of critical evidence. A skilled defense attorney will thoroughly examine the search warrant, ensuring it was properly obtained and executed. This involves:

• Verifying the warrant’s validity and scope
• Investigating whether officers exceeded the warrant’s parameters
• Assessing if probable cause existed for warrantless searches
• Examining body camera footage or witness accounts for procedural violations

If violations are found, your attorney can file a motion to suppress evidence, significantly weakening the prosecution’s case.

Attacking the Chain of Custody

The prosecution bears the burden of proving that the evidence presented in court is identical to that seized during your arrest. Challenging the chain of custody can create reasonable doubt about the integrity of the prosecution’s case. This strategy involves:

• Scrutinizing documentation of evidence handling, transfer, and storage
• Identifying gaps in the timeline or inconsistencies in record-keeping
• Questioning the qualifications and procedures of lab technicians
• Investigating the possibility of evidence tampering or contamination

Even minor discrepancies can cast doubt on the reliability of the evidence, potentially leading to its exclusion or diminishing its weight in court.

Exploring Entrapment Defense

If law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you would not have otherwise considered, an entrapment defense may be appropriate. This strategy is challenging but can be powerful when applicable. It involves:

• Gathering evidence of police misconduct or coercion
• Demonstrating your lack of predisposition to commit the crime
• Showing that the idea for the illegal activity originated with law enforcement
• Proving that the methods used by law enforcement would have induced a law-abiding citizen to commit the crime
• Successfully arguing entrapment can lead to dismissal of charges or acquittal at trial

Additional Defense Tactics

Beyond these primary strategies, several other defense tactics may prove useful depending on the specifics of your case. These include arguing a lack of knowledge about the presence or nature of the controlled substances, challenging insufficient evidence linking you to the alleged crime, demonstrating mistaken identity, or identifying any constitutional violations during your arrest or questioning.

The Importance of Experienced Legal Representation

The complexities of a drug trafficking case require legal knowledge, experience, and strategic thinking. A criminal defense attorney in Maryland brings these important aspects to your defense. A thorough investigation is essential for your case, as well as uncovering exculpatory evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments.

Armed with this information, your lawyer can develop effective counter-strategies, negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or alternative sentencing options, and provide aggressive representation in court if your case proceeds to trial.

Protect Your Rights With a Towson, MD Criminal Defense Lawyer

It is important to remember that every drug trafficking case is unique, with its own set of circumstances and challenges. The most effective defense strategy for your situation will depend on the specific details of your case. To fully explore your legal options and build a strong defense, meeting with a Bel Air, MD criminal defense attorney is important. Call Seger Law, LLC at 443-208-4692 to start with a free consultation.