San Jose Drug Crime Defense Attorney

California Drug Crime Sentences

At both state and federal levels, many drug crimes have maximum penalties of life imprisonment and have mandatory minimum prison sentences even for first time, non-violent offenders.  Under mandatory minimum sentencing laws, judges deliver fixed sentences to convicted drug offenders, regardless of extenuating circumstances and factors. Only three factors will be taken into consideration when determining the sentence for a person convicted of a drug crime:

• The type or Schedule of drug involved in the crime.
• The weight or amount of the drugs involved in the crime.
• The number of prior convictions on the defendant’s criminal record.

Mandatory sentencing guidelines do not allow for judges to take into account other important factors like the offender’s role in the drug crime, the motivation for allegedly committing the drug crime, or the likelihood of the defendant committing another drug crime in the future.  When a defendant is up against mandatory drug sentences, it is vital that they have an experienced and skilled lawyer working on their behalf.  With the help of an attorney, defendants have a much better chance of negotiating with prosecutors and judges about the sentence. 

San Jose Drug Crime Sentencing Lawyer   

Drug crime sentences can include time in state or federal prison, large fine amounts, drug rehabilitation and therapy, community service, and extensive periods of probation after release.  The consequences from a harsh drug crime sentence have the potential to affect your life for many years to come, if not forever, and as a result, every possible measure that can be taken to negotiate a lesser sentence should be taken. San Jose drug crime defense attorney Thomas F. Mueller has the strong negotiation skills it will take to make sure you receive a drug crime sentence that is fair and just. 

Contact a San Jose Drug Crime Defense Lawyer today!