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Defenses Against DC Cocaine Distribution Charges

Even though you may feel as if you are up against surmountable odds if you are facing allegations of cocaine distribution, there may be defenses available in your case. For example, if police fail to follow proper procedures, you may be able to use this in your defense by saying they violated your constitutional rights.

An attorney can help defend you against DC cocaine distribution charges. With the help of an experienced cocaine distribution lawyer, you may be able to reach a more positive resolution in your case.

Issues with Undercover Cocaine Distribution Arrests

Arrests often happen as a result of undercover officers purchasing cocaine from people they suspect are dealing drugs. When these operations occur, a police officer generally has a specific amount of pre-marked currency they use when they approach someone they suspect is dealing drugs and attempt to make a purchase from the person. After the undercover purchase is completed, the undercover officers signal other officers nearby to arrest the individual. The police then search the person and, if they recover the marked currency, they can arrest them on the grounds that they distributed the cocaine to the undercover police officer.

One of the most commonly contested issues in cocaine distribution cases resulting from the use of undercover cops is the identity of the person who is alleged to be involved in the undercover purchase. In other situations, marked currency is transferred from one person to another person without the individual’s knowledge. A person might find themselves in possession of marked currency without knowing when it is passed to them from someone else involved in distribution. Possessing the currency does not necessarily mean the individual is involved in the transaction.

There are also issues that can arise related to proper identification of marked currency and whether prosecutors can prove the currency found on a person was the same currency used by the police in their investigation. An attorney can fully examine the issues surrounding the arrest to determine whether there are any grounds for a defense.

Defending Against Offenses in DC

In possession with intent to distribute cases, prosecutors must be able to prove the person’s intentions at the time of possession. In distribution cases, prosecutors must prove that the person transferred or attempted to transfer cocaine to another person. However, prosecutors do not need to prove the person received or expected to receive money or anything of value in return for the transfer, only that they did transfer or attempted to transfer the cocaine to another person. If they cannot prove this, there may be enough reasonable doubt to prevent them from obtaining a conviction.

An attorney may also be able to raise constitutional issues in a case. One important constitutional issue that defense lawyers should always consider in a drug case arises when the police conduct a search of a person’s private property. This could include a search of their clothes, car, or home. Under the United States Constitution, a person has a certain expectation of privacy over their personal affairs. Police are not allowed to search anyone without probable cause. However, there are many exceptions to these rules that may be extremely complicated. Defense attorneys always need to look for instances when police violate a person’s privacy rights by conducting searches without probable cause or without the necessary constitutional authority.

When police conduct such an unconstitutional search, any evidence from the illegal search may be suppressed meaning it is not usable in the case. This is an important check on the police to make sure they act in a lawful and constitutional way. If they do not, the results of the illegal searches are not considered to be admissible evidence. Defense attorneys have to know the constitutional requirements, the purpose behind those requirements, and all the exceptions that apply.

Learn More About Defending Against DC Cocaine Distribution Cases

In cocaine distribution cases, a defense lawyer should work to understand how the police conduct the investigations and the techniques utilized to make an arrest in drug distribution cases. The lawyer needs to understand the strategies needed to challenge police techniques and question the reliability of the methods they use. Throughout the legal process, an attorney should be a fierce advocate. Call today for a free consultation to discuss how an attorney can help defend you against cocaine distribution charges.