Federal Drug Crimes Carry Massive Sentences
Federal Drug Crime Sentencing
“I love my Fed-Ex guy cause he’s a drug dealer and he don’t even know it...and he’s always on time.”
Federal Sentencing in Drug Cases
One of the most complex areas of federal criminal defense is understanding what goes into a federal sentencing in a drug crime case. Of major importance is the scoring of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which will give courts direction on what an appropriate sentence is.
The Quantity of Narcotics Drives the Sentence
Although a more detailed explanation of how federal sentences work can be found here, the important factors in a drug case is the drug quantity. As the amount of narcotics involved in the case increases, the sentencing guidelines score also increases. Ultimately, if the case involves a significant amount of narcotics, the guidelines will be 360 months to life imprison. This does not mean that the Court will be obligated to give you life, as the guidelines score is simply advisory. However, the Court will take it into account, along with what are commonly referred to the 3553(a) factors to fashion an appropriate sentence. Other common issues with drug trafficker clients is the use of career offender in scoring the guidelines.
Knowing the Federal Sentencing Factors Makes a Major Difference in the Sentence
Preparation and a cohesive sentencing memorandum addressing the 3553(a) factors is extremely important in the Eastern District of Michigan. We have seen the effects of what happens when a lawyer that doesn’t know what they are doing in federal court does a sentencing without a memorandum. Simply put, its disastrous. Thus if you are going through a federal drug case, it is a wise decision to hire a lawyer who handles federal drug cases all of the time.