Federal Drug Crimes—Manufacturing a Controlled Substance

FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES—MANUFACTURING

Information on Federal Drug Crimes—Manufacturing Charges

If you have been under investigation, indicted or charged with a federal drug crime, the penalties, if you are convicted, are severe.

If you are facing charges in both Pennsylvania and under U.S. Federal Court jurisdiction, you have two battles to fight to avoid the harshest of penalties. It also means you need an attorney with the qualifications and experience to represent you in the U.S. Federal Judiciary System.

If you were charged or think you may be charged with manufacturing drugs or are facing federal indictment on drug charges, get a free consultation from a qualified Federal Crime Lawyer who can help defend your rights, freedom and future.

DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS—An arrest is not a conviction.

At Ketchel Law, we are experienced in both Pennsylvania and federal court systems and can help you understand your rights and your options to fight against your charges.

 

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

Call 412-456-1221 for a free consultation

PITTSBURGH FEDERAL CRIME LAWYERS

 

WHAT IS “MANUFACTURING DRUGS”?

Under the The Code of Laws of the United States of America, drug manufacturing is when a group of people, or individual, produces or attempts to produce or make a controlled substance such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, PCP or methamphetamine.

Anyone who may be found participating in this illegal activity is subject to the full consequences if convicted, such as a driver or anyone who rented the building or land for storage, etc. However, it must be proven that you knew about the illegal activity and participated anyway. Under certain circumstances, you may be charged with federal drug conspiracy.

PENALTIES FOR MANUFACTURING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Cultivating a controlled substance, like marijuana, or manufacturing an illegal drug, like methamphetamine or LSD, typically means you face Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) penalties. You may face these charges in both Pennsylvania and Federal Court.

The penalties upon a conviction are tough, especially under federal charges. The penalties are separate for Pennsylvania, and you may be sentenced under both jurisdictions, if you are convicted, doubling the penalties.

Under the United States Code (21 U.S.C. § 841) the following are examples of the penalties under the sentencing guidelines:

Federal Guidelines—Controlled Substances

Minimum Sentence of Five to Forty Years in Prison

  • Cocaine: 500—4,999 grams
  • Heroin: 100—999 grams
  • LSD/Acid: 1—9 grams
  • Marijuana: 100—999 kilograms
  • Methamphetamine: 5—49 grams (pure)
  • PCP: 10—99 grams (pure)
  • Fentanyl: 40—399 grams

For a first offense, the minimum sentence also includes a $5 million dollar fine for individuals. Penalties increase with a second offense.

Federal Guidelines—Controlled Substances

Minimum Sentence of Ten Years to Life in Prison

  • Cocaine: 5 kilograms or more
  • Heroin: 1 kilogram or more
  • LSD/Acid: 10 grams or more
  • Marijuana: Over 1,000 kilograms
  • Methamphetamine: Over 50 grams (pure)
  • PCP: Over 100 grams (pure )
  • Fentanyl: 400+ grams

For a first offense, the minimum sentence also includes a $10 million dollar fine for individuals. Penalties increase with a second offense.

While mandatory minimums apply in federal court, the judges are given some discretion in sentencing. A federal attorney can help you build a strong case to help keep the sentencing at a minimum or have some or all charges dismissed.

 

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR FEDERAL CHARGES DISMISSED.

Call 412-456-1221 for a free consultation

PITTSBURGH FEDERAL CRIME LAWYERS

 

FEDERAL PROCEDURES FOR DRUG CRIMES

Federal cases are prosecuted different than in Pennsylvania or other States. Instead of a District Attorney, a United States Attorney will prosecute the case. Federal investigators have nearly unlimited resources to get a conviction, such as phone records, video surveillance, email and texting correspondence, etc.

In addition, federal convictions do not have the option of parole like State convictions—once sentenced, the majority of the time you receive will be spent in prison.

Basic steps in the federal criminal process include the following, but not all steps are required in every case:

  • The arraignment / initial hearing
  • Discovery (preparing for trial)
  • Plea Bargaining
  • Preliminary Hearing
  • Pre-Trial Motions
  • Trial
  • Post-Trial Motions
  • Sentencing
  • Appeals

How Ketchel Law Can Help

We are your personal defenders. We will stick with you from start to finish.

When you are charged with a federal crime, like drug manufacturing, a United States Attorney will prosecute the case. The federal prosecutor will need to prove guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.

Oftentimes, federal investigations only begin if there is substantial evidence to get a conviction. Federal prosecutors have a wide range of resources to pursue a conviction, much wider that the State Police.

That said, there are many defenses to drug charges, and if a thorough investigation is done into the case by the defense lawyer, those angles could be uncovered. But you need an attorney who can adeptly negotiate and build a strong defense around your case, for a better change of beating the charges or having them lowered.

From the moment you engage Ketchel Law to represent you, we will work tirelessly to ensure every aspect of your defense is addressed at every phase. We will gather witnesses, examine police reports and procedural reports, Every piece of information we can collect will be analyzed closely and meticulously.

We will make certain you understand your rights and options to prepare you at every turn and we will fight to have your charges dropped or significantly reduced.

Our senior lawyers handle all cases personally from the grand jury investigation through the trial and appeal.

We know there are many circumstances that lead people to be charged for a crime they did not commit or whose constitutional rights were violated in the process of an investigation or arrest. This is especially true in illegal search and seizures and we will aggressively pursue any evidence suggesting police violated your rights.

We will work closely with you to find the best course of action in defending your rights and your freedom.

Learn more about Ketchel Law:

 

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR FEDERAL CHARGES DISMISSED.

Call 412-456-1221 for a free consultation

PITTSBURGH FEDERAL CRIME LAWYERS