East St. Louis Federal Drug Crime Lawyer

Federal Drug Crime Attorney in East St. Louis, IL

Facing federal drug charges in Illinois is one of the most serious situations in which you may find yourself. Working with an East St. Louis federal drug crime lawyer is crucial. The federal prosecutors, federal agents, and mandatory sentencing guidelines all contribute to a system that can be much more severe than you may be used to with state charges.

An East St. Louis federal criminal defense lawyer understands the pressure and complexity of federal investigations, evidentiary standards, and prosecution tactics that you will likely face when you are being accused of trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, or conspiring to commit drug offenses.

About The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC

Since you may be prosecuted under state and federal law, you need an experienced defense lawyer with experience in both. Jessica Koester, Attorney at The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, has represented clients in both federal and state courtrooms in Illinois for over two decades. Jessica Koester handles every aspect of her clients’ cases in person and has a history of dismissals and not-guilty verdicts.

East St. Louis Federal Drug Crime Laws

Federal prosecutors often take drug-related charges involving heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA/ecstasy, prescription pills, and other controlled substances. Many federal drug cases start with long-term investigations, wiretaps, or surveillance, or are conducted by state or local agencies working with federal authorities. Federal prosecutors are more likely to file charges based on lengthy investigations that focus on conspiracy allegations.

Federal drug conspiracy laws can allow prosecutors to charge a defendant who may have played a limited role in the alleged scheme. Even just being part of a conversation or taking a small step toward committing the crime may result in the same charges and penalties as those for those in charge of a larger operation.

Local Drug Cases Becoming Federal Drug Charges

Drug cases that start in East St. Louis often transition to federal court. This can happen because of: 

• Crossing state lines or moving drugs from one state to another
• Massive amounts of controlled substances
• Wiretap or recorded evidence or a joint federal and local operation
• Associating with alleged members of a criminal organization or RICO charges

The feds may also file charges against a local defendant when they suspect manufacturing operations, distribution rings, or other widespread activity. Cases may include large amounts of evidence, such as phone records, text messages, drug evidence, financial documents, and witness interviews.

Federal Drug Crime Penalties

Federal drug crime penalties can be severe. Statewide, there were 36,861 total drug arrests in 2020. There were 8,528 cannabis arrests and 17,425 controlled substance arrests, some of which resulted in a federal-level charge.

Mandatory minimum prison sentences are common. A supervised release term will likely be added to any incarceration. Offenders also face large fines, the potential forfeiture of property, and subsequent charges such as money laundering or wire fraud. The federal war on drugs also continues to inform sentencing and can lead to long-lasting repercussions.

Hire a Federal Drug Crime Lawyer

If you are under investigation, a target of investigation, or already charged with a drug offense, you should hire a federal drug crime lawyer right away. The sooner you retain an attorney, the sooner they can start protecting your rights, talking to federal investigators, and working on your defense before the situation escalates. Contact The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC right away for assistance.