San Antonio, TX Federal Drug Charges Lawyer

Attorney for Federal Drug Crimes Located in San Antonio, TX

When you are facing federal drug charges in Central or South Texas, your very freedom could be at stake. Overzealous federal authorities and eager prosecutors are often looking to charge and convict people in order to justify their positions and to send a public message. In the process, though, innocent people may be charged with crimes they did not commit.

These types of charges almost always involve the invocation of the constitutional right to be free from unwarranted and/or unreasonable searches and seizures. Law enforcement officials may engage in illegal searches without obtaining warrants, and when they do so, the evidence they obtain may be thrown out when a case is handled in court. Because of this constitutional dimension, this area of law is constantly evolving, and it is crucial for people charged with federal drug crimes to work with an attorney who understands these issues.

The Law Offices of Sam H. Lock represents people in San Antonio, Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos, and Waco. Attorney Sam Lock is ready to help anyone charged with drug offenses such as trafficking, manufacturing, and cultivation. He stays educated on all changes to federal laws so that he can defend clients from all walks of life and in any circumstance. He often represents clients in cases involving drugs such as:

• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Crystal Methamphetamine ("Crystal Meth")
• Marijuana
• Prescription Drugs (Xanax, Percocet, Valium, OxyContin, etc.)
• Ecstasy
• And more

When Can a State Drug Charge Escalate to a Federal Case?

The lines between state and federal drug charges can be blurry. For many drug offenses that involve possession or distribution within a limited area, state courts will handle the case. However, under certain circumstances, a case may be investigated and prosecuted by federal authorities. Some of these circumstances include:

• A Federal Arresting Officer: Following an arrest by a government authority such as the FBI or DEA, federal charges will typically apply. This is typical of larger drug busts that involve mass quantities of controlled substances.
• The Crossing of State Lines: In cases where drugs have allegedly been transported, distributed, or sold in multiple states, an offense will be a federal crime. This is also true in cases involving allegations of international drug trafficking.
• Previous Convictions on Record: A person who has a prior history of drug offenses will be more likely to catch the federal government's attention. Investigations will likely lead to prosecution at the federal level.

What Is Federal Drug Conspiracy?

You can be charged with federal drug conspiracy if you allegedly collaborated with another party to sell or transport illegal drugs in violation of federal law. This charge may apply in more cases than many people may realize, because a drug conspiracy may consist of only two people. In many cases, the authorities can use text messages or transfers of money as proof of conspiracy.

The penalties for federal drug conspiracy will be the same as those that would apply for the offense in question. These penalties can vary depending on the substance involved and the quantity of drugs. For example, a person who is convicted of conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms of marijuana could face prison time anywhere between five and 40 years.

The burden is on the prosecution to prove that the parties charged with federal drug conspiracy had an agreement to commit a drug crime and that the agreement was voluntary. Attorney Lock can help determine the best defense against these charges, and he will fight to help prevent a conviction and resolve these cases successfully.

Contact Our San Antonio, Texas Federal Drug Crimes Attorney

In addition to federal drug charges, Mr. Lock is also experienced in dealing with weapons charges, internet crimes, and other charges that are often linked with federal drug cases. People accused of these types of crimes often find themselves pitted against the full strength of a vast array of governmental forces, and legal counsel is crucial if there is even the slightest question about being a possible government target. In particular, young people often feel the brunt of the ever-increasing penalties in our nation's war on drugs, and the consequences of these charges could follow them for the rest of their lives.

The Law Offices of Sam H. Lock can provide an effective defense for anyone who is facing federal drug charges. With his extensive experience in these matters, Attorney Sam Lock can work to develop an effective defense strategy while protecting the rights of his client. Contact our firm today at 210-226-0965 to set up a consultation. We are available to help you 24/7.