Helping You Avoid Life-Changing Penalties For Drug Crimes

A conviction for federal drug crimes can completely change your life. Many of these crimes lead to months – if not years – in prison and fines reaching thousands of dollars. Do not face federal drug charges alone. An aggressive attorney can help keep your rights protected and bolster your case.

Steven M. Frey has over 30 years of experience defending individuals charged with serious crimes. He knows what it takes to develop a strong case and aggressively defend you in court. The Frey Law Firm provides legal assistance to clients throughout Clayton County and the Atlanta metropolitan area.

What Types Of Federal Drug Charges Can The Frey Law Firm Handle?

Federal drug charges vary in severity. Attorney Frey can assist you with any drug-related federal charges, including:

• Prescription drug fraud, doctor shopping or unauthorized possession of prescriptions
• Drug trafficking or drug distribution charges, whether interstate or international
• The illegal cultivation of marijuana or methamphetamine manufacturing
• Charges related to firearms seized with Schedule I or Schedule II drugs like heroin, cocaine and fentanyl
• Money laundering accusations connected to assorted drug offenses

Attorney Frey will fight to protect your rights. His goal is to limit the legal repercussions and collateral damage to you, your family, your career and your finances. He can also represent you against federal asset forfeiture proceedings related to drug charges.

When Does A Drug Charge Become Federal?

Many drug crimes are handled at the state level, but a case can become federal under many circumstances, including when:

• International or state borders were crossed.
• Large quantities of drugs are involved.
• The investigation involves the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for any reason.
• There are allegations of connections to organized crime.
• The alleged offense involves high-profile Schedule I or II drugs.
• The defendant has previous convictions for drug crimes.

In federal cases, a grand jury is often convened to review evidence and determine if there is enough probable cause to issue an indictment. If the prosecution is successful, as it usually is, a warrant will be issued for the defendant’s arrest. That starts the defense process in earnest.

Parallel Investigations: State Versus Federal Drug Charges In Clayton County

You may feel confused when a local arrest suddenly goes federal. “Dual sovereignty” allows both state and federal governments to prosecute you for the same conduct. A drug arrest in Clayton County may start with local officers, but it can catch the attention of federal agencies like the DEA or FBI.

Federal prosecutors often adopt cases involving large quantities of controlled substances or firearms. If the government links your case to a larger pattern of interstate commerce, it will move the matter to federal court. Attorney Frey fights to protect your rights regardless of which entity brings the charges.

Our attorney analyzes every detail of the jurisdictional hand-off to ensure the government follows proper protocol. He stays by your side from the moment the investigation shifts from local to federal authority.

How Are You Protected Against Unreasonable Search And Seizure?

Jonesboro sits near Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and major corridors like Interstate 75, making it a focal point for drug interdiction. Officers often use aggressive tactics during traffic stops or airport encounters to find evidence. Your defense often hinges on whether the police followed strict constitutional procedures during their initial contact with you. Examples include:

• Traffic stops and K-9 units: Police cannot unconstitutionally prolong a routine traffic stop in Clayton County to wait for a drug dog to arrive.
• Airport seizures: While federal agents operate at Hartsfield-Jackson, Clayton County police often lead “jet bridge” stops to search carry-on luggage or seize cash.

Attorney Frey determines whether the officer had reasonable suspicion for the stop or the higher standard of probable cause before they searched your property. He investigates whether you truly gave consent or if the police coerced you into a search.

Does The Fourth Amendment Apply Differently In Federal Drug Or Weapons Cases?

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches regardless of whether your case stays in state court or moves to federal court. However, federal cases often involve more invasive techniques, such as wiretaps or delayed-notice warrants. These investigative tools require strict judicial oversight and specific legal justifications before agents can use them.

Attorney Frey meticulously reviews the warrants and affidavits agents used to gather evidence against you. If he finds that agents lacked proper authority or misled a judge, our firm moves to suppress that evidence. Taking a proactive approach ensures the government follows the law as it prosecutes your case. Our attorney identifies every potential weakness in the prosecution’s narrative to build your defense.

Why Hire A Drug Crimes Attorney As Soon As Possible?

The more proactive you are in addressing federal drug charges, the better. Attorney Frey can examine the evidence against you to look for weak points and make sure that your rights are protected. In some cases, it may be possible to have charges dropped or at least convince the prosecution to pursue lesser charges.

What Are The Federal Penalties For Drug Crimes In Georgia?

Attorney Frey can assist you with federal charges for drug crimes such as distribution, trafficking, importation, possession and manufacturing. While penalties for conviction of these crimes can vary, they are always serious. Depending on the amount and type of controlled substance involved, you may face the following consequences:

• Trafficking of a Schedule II substance such as cocaine, fentanyl or heroin – a first offense can trigger a five-year mandatory minimum prison sentence, increasing to 10 years if it is your second offense.
• Federal possession of a controlled substance – For your first offense, up to one year in prison and no less than $1,000 in fines. However, a second conviction can double your potential incarceration time to two years.
• Cultivation or manufacturing of marijuana – Manufacturing even a small amount of a controlled substance—including fewer than 50 marijuana plants—can result in up to 5 years in a federal facility.

Whatever your federal drug charge, The Frey Law Firm will fight to protect your rights and make sure zealous prosecutors do not overstep in their attempt to get you convicted.

Start Building Your Defense – Call Today

The sooner we evaluate your case, the better. Steven Frey will work hard for your best possible outcome against federal charges. Connect with The Frey Law Firm by calling 770-676-1431 or sending an email to schedule your consultation.