Tunica, Mississippi, Drug Crime Attorneys

As everyone in Tunica, Mississippi knows, the gambling attractions have brought people from across the United States and even the world. The Tunica gaming area is now the third largest gambling center in the United States after Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The number of people in town to partake in fun, exciting times sometimes causes a spike in arrests for drug crimes.

Despite the fun, carefree atmosphere cultivated by the casinos in Tunica drug laws in the state are very strict. Felony convictions for large amounts of drugs can result in lengthy prison terms, substantial fines, ongoing probation, criminal records and other unfortunate circumstances. Just how serious the penalties you face will be determined by a number of factors.

The first factor is the amount of drugs in your possession. Second, the variety of drugs at issue is important. While anything less than 30 grams of marijuana qualifies as a misdemeanor, punished by small fines and next to no jail time, possession of anything greater than .2 grams of cocaine will result in a felony conviction. Those convicted of possessing more than .2 grams of cocaine face years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines. Yet another factor that can cause differences in punishment is whether or not there was intention to sell or distribute the drugs.

If you have been charged with a federal drug crime, it’s important to understand the federal sentencing guidelines that could be the key to your fate. Federal sentencing guidelines set the minimum and maximum prison terms, based often on the type of drug involved and the quantity at issue. Other factors considered by the federal sentencing guidelines include whether a weapon was used in the commission of the drug crime, whether someone was hurt during the crime as well as the defendant’s individual criminal history. Judges are entitled to depart from the guidelines at their discretion, but they must abide by the mandatory maximum and minimum boundaries. These sentencing guidelines are important because they serve as a baseline to which judges make alterations, either up or down depending on the specific facts of your case.

The federal sentencing guidelines for drug crimes can be extraordinarily complex. However, an experienced Tunica drug crime lawyer can turn that complexity into an advantage for his client. By knowing the ins and outs of the criminal justice system in Tunica County, the attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton are prepared to effectively manage your case.

If you, or someone you know, have been charged with a drug crime in Tunica or the surrounding area, you should consult with an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law. An experienced attorney will know whether it is in your best interest to submit to the charges and work out a plea agreement or whether to contest the charges and go to trial. The Tunica, Mississippi drug crime attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton will work hard to assist you in your defense.