Drug Trafficking Attorney in Phoenix

My Comprehensive Strategy as a Phoenix Drug Trafficking Lawyer

My defense strategy is built on my two decades of experience, including years spent inside the prosecutor’s office. I know precisely what constitutes a flawed investigation and how to compel the State to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

1. Attacking Constitutional Violations (The Fourth Amendment)

Most trafficking cases involve a traffic stop or vehicle search. I immediately investigate the lawfulness of the police action:

• No Reasonable Suspicion for Stop: Was the initial traffic stop legal, or did the officer lack the necessary reasonable suspicion?
• Illegal Search: Did the police search your vehicle or person without a valid warrant, your consent, or sufficient probable cause?
• Contesting K-9 Searches: I challenge the credibility and certification records of drug dogs and their handlers used to establish probable cause for a search.

If I can prove the police violated your Fourth Amendment rights, the entire drug trafficking attorney in Phoenix case can be dismissed via a Motion to Suppress Evidence.

2. Lack of Knowledge / Constructive Possession Defense

I fight to separate you from the seized narcotics. I argue that the prosecution cannot prove you knowingly possessed the drugs, especially in cases involving:

• Shared Vehicles: The drugs were found in a compartment or trunk accessible to others.
• Unknowing Transport: You were merely acting as a messenger or driver and were unaware of the illicit contents of the package or vehicle.

In these instances, a conviction is legally impossible if the State cannot prove your knowing control over the substance.

3. Challenging the Indicia of Sale (Below Threshold Cases)

If the quantity of drugs is below the statutory threshold, the prosecution must rely on circumstantial evidence to prove intent to sell. I challenge these factors, arguing they are equally consistent with personal use:

• Cash: Cash seized was related to legitimate work or business.
• Packaging: Baggies or containers were related to non-drug items or simple storage.
• Scale: The scale was used for legitimate household or personal purposes.

I fight to reduce the charge from a Class 2 Felony (Transport for Sale) to a lesser Class 4 Felony (Simple Possession), avoiding the mandatory prison sentence and opening the door to probation.

How Drug Trafficking Cases Are Handled in Phoenix Courts

Drug trafficking cases in Phoenix are handled through a structured but often high-stakes court process. From the first court appearance through discovery and potential trial, defendants face aggressive prosecution backed by multi-agency investigations and advanced surveillance techniques. Understanding how these cases move through the Phoenix court system—and where defense strategies can challenge the evidence—is critical to protecting your rights and future.

How Drug Trafficking Cases Are Handled in Phoenix Courts

• Initial Appearance/Arraignment – Defendants are formally charged, and conditions of release (such as bond) may be set.
• Pretrial Hearings & Negotiations – The defense and prosecutors from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office discuss potential resolutions and procedural matters.
• Involvement of Law Enforcement – The Phoenix Police Department’s Narcotics Division and multi-agency task forces often provide evidence such as surveillance, wiretaps, and lab reports.
• Discovery Phase – Prosecutors share evidence, including forensic testing of substances, financial records, and intercepted communications.
• Defense Motions – Defense attorneys may move to suppress unlawfully seized evidence or challenge procedural errors.
• Court Procedures – Cases are assigned to judges and often placed on high-priority dockets, requiring defense counsel to understand Phoenix court scheduling and practices.
• Risks & Penalties – Arizona law imposes mandatory minimums for certain trafficking offenses, and prosecutors may pursue enhanced penalties using advanced surveillance evidence.
• Defense Focus – A strong strategy involves challenging the chain of custody, questioning investigative methods, and exposing any violations of constitutional rights.