Texas Federal Drug Crimes Attorney

Houston Defense Lawyer Fighting Federal Drug Crimes Charges

If you've been arrested for a felony drug crime, you face criminal charges in state or federal court. The decision does not depend upon which arm of law enforcement made the arrest. Even in local drug crimes investigations, federal authorities may have been involved in helping local law enforcement with a drug bust.

If the crime for which you are charged involved crossing state or national borders, you will be charged in federal court. If a "criminal enterprise" was involved — a gang or organized crime — it will typically be charged at the federal level. If the criminal actions occurred only within Texas, the prosecutor generally chooses in which court to try the case. They will often choose the one in which they can seek the harshest sentence.

It's essential to work with a Texas federal drug crimes defense attorney who has experience in both state and federal cases; one who understands the federal drug sentencing guidelines and who can argue for a downward departure. If you have been charged with a felony drug crime, contact Houston defense lawyer Frank Rubino to fight federal drug crimes charges.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Rubino has been fighting for the rights of people accused of the most serious felony drug crimes — clients at high risk for lengthy prison sentences. He has handled many high-profile drug cases for clients in the U.S., and those extradited to the U.S.

There are two primary differences between federal and state criminal courts and their handling of drug crimes cases:

• Investigations of drug crimes: In many federal cases, a grand jury investigation has been underway for a year or more. An informant may have turned evidence over to the state. People only slightly involved with you may have offered up false or misleading evidence.
• Drug crimes sentencing: Federal courts have operated under the federal drug sentencing guidelines. These guidelines were mandatory and until recently judges were strictly required to follow the guidelines. Judges are now allowed to use their own judgment to pass a sentence that deviates from the federal drug sentencing guidelines, but they seldom do. (See federal drug trafficking penalties to learn more about the sentencing guidelines for different controlled substances.)

Contact Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Frank A. Rubino

If you have received a subpoena to appear before a grand jury, do not talk to law enforcement until you have spoken to a lawyer. You face considerable risk in any encounter with law enforcement unless you know your rights and understand what could happen. Contact Frank Rubino, a Houston defense lawyer with experience fighting federal drug crimes charges. Call his office at 713-574-7716 or toll free at 1-866-718-3994.