Lake Charles Drug Crime Lawyer

Lake Charles Drug Crime Attorney

Drug charges in Lake Charles are serious, and nearly always have mandatory minimum sentences. Being convicted of a drug charge can have severe consequences on your life, but an arrest does not mean you will be convicted. You have options, and you need to work with a diligent and fierce Lake Charles drug crimes lawyer to protect your rights.

At McHale Law Firm, we have supported our community in Lake Charles since our founding in 1959. Our firm provides aggressive and tireless support for individuals convicted of criminal offenses. Michael McHale has over 30 years of experience, primarily in criminal defense. He is proud to advocate for people in southwest Louisiana. He is a strong litigator who fights for you.

When you work with our firm, we ensure you understand each step of the criminal defense process, informing you of your rights and options along the way. We know how overwhelming and uncertain these cases can feel, and we want to help you navigate the process with more certainty.

Controlled Substance Offenses in Lake Charles

Criminal drug offenses happen throughout the state, including in Lake Charles. There were 435 drug and narcotics violations in Lake Charles in 2023, and 200 drug equipment violations. These offenses included cultivation, distribution, use, possession, and trafficking of these controlled substances.

This was lower than local offenses in 2022, when there were 504 drug violations and 218 equipment violations, and much lower than the 2021 offenses, which included 751 drug violations and 335 equipment violations.

If you are someone who was charged with a drug offense, it is crucial that you take action to protect your future.

Types of Drug Offenses and Controlled Substance Scheduling

Drug offenses in Louisiana generally include:

• Possession
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Distribution or trafficking
• Manufacturing
• Cultivation

In Louisiana, controlled substances are scheduled based on how dangerous they are presumed to be. The more dangerous a substance is considered by the law, the more severe the criminal penalties will be for offenses involving it.

• Schedule I. These substances are those with no accepted medical use and the most severe risk of abuse. They include specific opiates, opium derivatives, hallucinogenic substances, depressants, stimulants, and synthetic cannabinoids. Some substances include heroin, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy, cannabis, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
• Schedule II. These substances have a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence. They also have a highly restricted accepted medical use. Examples include methadone, fentanyl, codeine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and morphine.
• Schedule III. These have a moderate potential for abuse and a moderate-to-low physical or psychological dependence. They have a current accepted medical use. Substances include anabolic steroids, testosterone, ketamine, lysergic acid, and medications with small amounts of codeine.
• Schedule IV. These substances have a low abuse potential and an accepted medical use. They also have limited physical or psychological dependence. Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and zolpidem (Ambien).
• Schedule V. These substances have a low potential for abuse and have a currently accepted medical use. Examples include narcotic drugs with very limited amounts of codeine and pregabalin (Lyrica).

The severity of the criminal penalties also relies on how much of the substance was involved in the offense, in addition to its schedule.

If you are facing criminal charges in Lake Charles in a state court, your case will likely be handled by the 14th Judicial District Court (JDC), which serves all of Calcasieu Parish. The 14th JDC Courthouse can be found at 1001 Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles.

Why Is it Important to Hire a Drug Crimes Lawyer in Lake Charles?

When you are facing drug charges, it does not mean you will automatically be convicted. If you hire a drug crimes lawyer, you are much more likely to secure the optimal outcome for your drug crime case. An attorney can help you build your defense, determine the evidence against you, fight for the charges to be dropped, protect you against rights violations, and advise you on other options like plea deals.

Federal Drug Charges

Drug offenses may also be charged federally, particularly if trafficking crosses state lines or you are involved in a large-scale drug operation. You need an experienced attorney who understands federal courts.

FAQs

Q: How Can You Beat a Drug Charge in Louisiana?

A: The most effective way to beat a drug charge in Louisiana is to work with an experienced Lake Charles drug crimes attorney and have a strong defense.

One potential defense is the legality of the search conducted, which uncovered a controlled substance. If you didn’t consent to a search, and the officer had no cause to conduct the search, evidence secured in the search could be suppressed. Evidence suppression can prevent the prosecution from meeting its burden of proof.

Q: How Much Is a Drug Crime Lawyer?

A: Most drug crime defense attorneys charge an hourly rate, but this rate can vary significantly depending on the attorney you work with. Often, a more experienced attorney will have higher rates, although you should always check an attorney’s experience. While an experienced attorney may cost more, they may also secure a better outcome for your case.

Other factors impact attorney fees, such as how serious your charges are, the complexity of your case, and whether the case goes to trial.

Q: How Do You Win a Drug Possession Case?

A: You need a skilled defense attorney to win a drug possession case, although the right defense for your case will depend on the circumstances of your case.

In some drug possession cases, your ideal defense is arguing that you did not have actual or constructive possession. The prosecution must prove that you knowingly and intentionally possessed the drugs. If the drugs were someone else’s and you had no knowledge of them or no control, this may be an effective defense.

Q: What Is the Minimum Sentence for a Drug Charge?

A: The minimum sentence for a drug charge varies significantly based on the type of criminal offense, the type of controlled substance, and the amount of the substance involved in the offense.

The minimum charge for possession of the smallest amount of any given controlled substance in Louisiana will usually have a mandatory minimum sentence of one year, and up to five or ten years. If more of a substance is present or a weapon is involved in the offense, the minimum sentence is likely to increase.

Get in Contact with McHale Law Firm

Contact McHale Law Firm today to schedule a consultation to discuss your charges. We are dedicated to helping our clients obtain an optimal result for their drug crime cases.