Texas Federal Drug Attorney

Are You Looking for the Best Texas Federal Drug Attorney?

If you’re looking for the best Texas Federal Drug Attorney, then we want to represent you. As you can see from our website, our award-winning attorneys have significant experience, and we have the victories to prove our effectiveness. The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense team only represents clients who want to hire the top federal drug attorneys. Consistently high-level legal representation is the hallmark of our boutique federal criminal defense practice.

In addition to our notable high-profile victories, our history of success also includes representation of numerous high-profile clients. Many of our biggest wins involved disposing of these cases quietly and out of the sight of the public. Whether you face charges for possession of a controlled substance, trafficking drugs, distribution, manufacture or drug conspiracy, you need an experienced and aggressive Texas Federal Drug Lawyer to fight for your rights.

We’re not just criminal defense lawyers. We are warriors fighting unjust and corrupt government prosecutions with a history of success and a reputation for tenacity, courage and legal ingenuity.

And whether you have already been arrested or not, the most important thing for you to do is to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to defend you against the onslaught of prosecution by the government. You are not guilty unless and until the U.S. Attorney proves its case in court. When you are ready to fight your federal drug case with us, call us or book a consultation today.

If the government is prosecuting you for a federal drug offense, you will face the full force of the federal government with its deep resources and vast array of experienced investigators and attorneys. But this does not make the United States prosecutors infallible. When a figure as powerful as the United States Attorney accuses you of a drug crime, you must stand up for your constitutional rights with an experienced federal criminal attorney. Federal drug charges require expert legal counsel.

Choosing The Right Texas Federal Drug Attorney Can Make A Huge Difference In Your Case Result

Why would you hire a former prosecutor in a federal drug case? Surprisingly, some people believe that former prosecutors provide some special advantage. However, many of these attorneys seem to quickly push clients to a plea deal. Fewer and fewer attorneys make a practice of trying Criminal Attempt cases to a judge, and fewer still make a practice of trying Criminal Attempt cases to a jury. Ask those lawyers how many people they have put away for drug cases.

That’s not who we are at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense. We are trial lawyers, first and foremost, and we stake our reputation on bringing the fight to the government and keeping our clients out of jail. We have never worked for the government and never will. Learn more about our team, awards, and some of our victories.

Who can make an arrest for a Federal Drug Crime in Texas?

Both state and federal laws prohibit the possession, manufacture, sale, and distribution of drugs. So how do you know whether the state or federal authorities will prosecute the case? Generally, federal offenses are those that involve the U.S. government in some way. Offenses that take place while crossing state lines or on federal property are federal offenses and will be charged as such. Trafficking significant quantities of a controlled substance may also lead to federal charges. You will need to work with an experienced lawyer who is qualified to represent you in federal court to fight federal drug charges in Texas.

Arrest procedures for federal drug crimes may differ than those for state drug crime arrests. Typically, federal agents may arrest you following an investigation, or local authorities may collaborate with them to impose federal charges. You should never disclose information to authorities, regardless of whether they’re local, state, or federal officers, without the counsel of a criminal defense lawyer.

How do you know whether it’s a federal drug charge?

There are more than a hundred drug-related offenses at the federal level. Common charges include:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance (21 U.S.C. § 846)
• Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance
• Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Manufacture and Distribute a Controlled Substance

You will see these charges in a document called a Superseding Indictment.

The drugs below are some of the more common substances at the heart of federal drug charges:

• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Crack Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Ecstasy
• LSD
• PCP

Thus, the superseding indictment will say something like:

• Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine
• Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Cocaine
• Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Manufacture and Distribute Heroin

Whether you face one or multiple charges, it’s crucial to hire a Texas federal drug lawyer who will guide you through the justice system. If this is not your first drug offense, you will want to find a lawyer who represents individuals with a criminal record. In some cases, having an extensive criminal history may increase the severity of your drug charges or may lead prosecutors to file federal charges.

What is a federal controlled substance?

Understanding what to expect from the criminal justice system when you’re facing drug charges starts with learning about the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This act regulates the manufacture and distribution of all known substances, most of which have medical applications. Drugs are divided into five categories, or “schedules,” based on their potency and medical uses. Below are the five schedules with examples for which types of drugs fall into each group. Except for Schedule I drugs, all drugs have some accepted medical use.

Federal Drug Schedules

Schedule I: These drugs have no currently accepted medical use and a high abuse potential. Drugs like heroin, marijuana, LSD, and ecstasy, and peyote may be found here.

Schedule II: Drugs in Schedule II have a high potential for abuse and physical and psychological dependence. These drugs do have accepted medical uses. Schedule II drugs include substances with less than 15 mg of hydrocodone per dose. Vicodin, cocaine, methamphetamine, Adderall, oxycodone, and PCP are examples of Schedule II drugs.

Schedule III: These drugs have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence and a low potential for abuse. Drugs like Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids are included.

Schedule IV: Schedule IV drugs have a lower abuse potential than those in Schedule III and a low risk of physical and psychological dependence. They include drugs like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Ambien.

Schedule V: Schedule V drugs have an even lower abuse potential and a smaller risk of physical and psychological dependence than Schedule IV drugs. Examples include cough medicine with less than 200 mg of codeine per 100 mL and antidiarrheal drugs.

How much prison time can you get for a federal drug crime in Texas?

If you’re convicted of a federal drug offense, you may face a minimum sentence that includes at least 5 years in a federal prison. You need skilled federal drug lawyer to avoid the worst possible penalties.

Mandatory minimum sentences for federal charges are generally more severe than those for state charges in terms of both the length of incarceration and the cost of fines. Generally, serious federal drug charges may lead to a decade or more of incarceration and fines in the millions of dollars, while lower-end charges may cost hundreds of thousands in fines. Drug crimes with mandatory minimum sentences are those that involve LSD, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, PCP, heroin, and methamphetamine.

A minimum sentence for a federal drug offense with any of those substances may include a prison sentence of 5–10 years, depending on the quantity of the substance.

5- and 10-Year Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Federal Drug Crimes

Federal courts may give 5-year minimum sentences for first-time federal drug offenders. However, a 5-year minimum may double to a 10-year minimum if you have 1 prior felony conviction. Additionally, either a 5- or 10-year minimum can turn into a 20-year minimum sentence if the crime resulted in a death.

Life Without Parole After a Federal Drug Conviction

A person who has a prior felony conviction and caused a death during the commission of a federal drug offense may be sentenced to life without parole. Also, a 10-year minimum sentence may increase to life without parole if the defendant has two or more prior felony convictions.

How Do Federal Courts Calculate the Sentence for a Drug Conviction?

Federal district courts will calculate the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for every drug offense. The sentencing guidelines will provide a range of punishment that guides federal courts in sentencing people after drug convictions. The Sentencing Guidelines take into account many factors in calculating penalties for federal drug offenses, but some of the key factors include:

Under relevant conduct:

• The substance involved. The schedule of the substance will influence the severity of your sentence. Drugs in Schedule I, for example, will generally lead to harsher sentences than drugs in Schedule IV.
• The quantity of drugs. Greater amounts of a drug, regardless of the Schedule, may result in a lengthy prison sentence.
• The way in which the drug was used.The purpose of the drug will determine the charge you face. For example, if you possessed an illegal substance to consume it yourself, your sentence may be lighter than if you had distributed or delivered the substance.
• Where the crime took place. Drugs used or sold near schools and churches may lead to aggravated charges due to laws that impose harsher punishments for drug crimes near “drug free zones.” Examples of these areas are daycare centers, public and private elementary and secondary schools, playgrounds, and colleges and universities.
• Other crimes. If your drug crime is tied to other offenses like crimes of violence, or if your offense incorporated the use of firearms, your sentence will be more severe than if you had avoided violence and weapons.

Under criminal history:

The courts will take into consideration your criminal history by categorizing you into one of five groups depending on the number and severity of your past criminal convictions, guilty pleas and arrests.

If you’re ready to discuss legal representation, schedule an consultation with Texas federal drug attorney Paul Saputo. Or else you can apply for a free consultation here.

About Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense

If you want to hire us as your Texas Federal Drug lawyers, learn more about us:

The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense Lawyers

Paul Saputo and Nicholas Toufexis are partners at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC and lead the entire trial team at the firm.

Mr. Saputo has practiced throughout Texas in more than fifty Texas state and federal courts and developed groundbreaking innovations in defense strategies and tactics.

Presently a member of the prestigious Texas Bar College, Mr. Saputo trains other lawyers in best practices and himself attends many hours of continuous legal education with some of the best lawyers, judges, and law professors in the country.

A graduate of the elite Duke Law School, Paul opened the firm with a focus on staying ahead of the legal and technological curve. In law school, he did not work for the district attorney’s office, he worked for a federal judge. He didn’t work on small cases when he started out, he worked on the largest and most technically-complex in the nation. Now, he leads the Texas trial team and brings the same ingenuity, courage and tenacity to the most technically complex and demanding cases. More about Paul Saputo…

Mr. Toufexis is a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of the law school as Southern Methodist University. He has dedicated his entire legal career to criminal defense, and has been with the firm since law school. Recently named a partner, Nick has achieved exceptional results in and out of court for years. More about Nick…

Awards

Numerous organizations have awarded Mr. Saputo recognition for his outstanding criminal defense work, for example:

• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rating
• “10.0 – Top Attorney” rating on AVVO
• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Consistently recognized by D Magazine in “Best Lawyers” for Criminal Defense
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: White Collar practice area.

More Awards & Recognition…

Nicholas Toufexis has likewise received many distinctions as well.

• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: DWI/DUI practice area.

Paul Saputo was voted one of the Three Best Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dallas

Victories

In the Western District of Texas, El Paso, we obtained a dismissal for a federal Possession of Child Pornography case as a result of our Motion to Suppress Evidence. We also obtained a dismissal for a federal prosecution of Obscene Image Depicting Children in the Northern District of Texas after our filing a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction and addressing first amendment violations.

In fact, the Texas federal drug attorneys at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC have obtained hundreds of victories in complex criminal litigation across Texas. Our victories include Not Guilty verdicts by jury acquittals, directed verdicts of Not Guilty, as well as both conditional and unconditional dismissals.

For descriptions and some details about more example victories, visit our page on Notable Victories.

Reviews

One example review from a real client:

Paul helped prove my fiance’s innocence! I like the fact that he is all about honesty and truth. We won our case and he did an excellent job in keeping my fiance informed throughout the process. Words cannot express how much we thank you!

– Real client review posted on Mr. Saputo’s Avvo.com profile.

See more client reviews and testimonials here.

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