Drug Trafficking Attorney in Tucson
Serious Charges, Focused Defense For Your Future
If you are facing drug trafficking charges in Tucson, you may be worried about prison time, a permanent felony record, and what this means for your future. These are high-stakes cases that call for calm decisions, not panic. Our goal is to give you clear information and a path forward.
At Law Offices of Patrick Alan Moran, LLC, we defend people accused of serious drug offenses in Central and Southern Arizona, including cases handled in Pima County Superior Court. Our attorney has more than 20 years of criminal law experience, including years as a public defender handling serious felony matters.
We regularly work with adults and college students who suddenly find themselves in a system they never expected to enter. If you or your child has been arrested, under investigation, or contacted by law enforcement about alleged trafficking, we encourage you to speak with our Tucson drug trafficking lawyer as early as possible so.
Reach out to Law Offices of Patrick Alan Moran, LLC at (520) 402-3226 or message us online for a free consultation. With over 20 years of experience and a unique perspective as a former judge, our Tucson drug trafficking attorney provides the aggressive representation you need.
Understanding Arizona Drug Trafficking Laws
In Arizona, drug trafficking is not a single statute but a collection of serious felony charges primarily governed by A.R.S. § 13-3405 (Marijuana), § 13-3407 (Dangerous Drugs), and § 13-3408 (Narcotic Drugs). These laws criminalize the "knowing" transportation, importation, sale, or transfer of illegal substances.
A Tucson drug trafficking lawyer from our firm defends against charges involving:
- Transportation for Sale: Being caught moving drugs in a vehicle, even across city lines, can trigger a Class 2 felony charge.
- Importation into the State: Moving drugs across the Arizona-Mexico border or state lines frequently leads to both state and federal indictments.
- Possession for Sale: If the police find packaging materials, scales, or large amounts of cash alongside drugs, they will upgrade a simple possession charge to a trafficking-level offense.
Penalties and Mandatory Sentencing in Arizona
Arizona's drug laws are among the harshest in the nation, particularly for "Dangerous Drugs" like methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Criminal Sentencing
- Class 2 Felony: Most trafficking offenses are Class 2 felonies. For a first-time offender, the presumptive sentence is 5 years, but it can reach up to 12.5 years.
- Methamphetamine Enhancements: Under A.R.S. § 13-3407, if the trafficking involves methamphetamine, the sentence is "flat time," meaning you must serve the entire term without eligibility for early release or parole.
- Fines: Courts must impose a fine of at least $1,000 or three times the value of the drugs involved, whichever is greater.
Life-Long Consequences
Beyond prison, a trafficking conviction results in:
- Asset Forfeiture: The state can seize your car, cash, and even your home if they believe they were used to facilitate the crime.
- Firearm Prohibition: You will lose your right to own or possess a firearm for life.
- Employment Barriers: A "trafficking" label makes it nearly impossible to pass background checks for high-level employment or professional licensing.
Our Tailored Defense Strategy Against Drug Trafficking Charges
At the Law Offices of Patrick Alan Moran, LLC, we don't believe in "one-size-fits-all" legal advice. Our founder, Patrick Moran, has served as a Public Defender and a Justice of the Peace, giving him a 360-degree view of how judges and prosecutors build these cases.
Our proactive approach includes:
- Suppression of Evidence: We scrupulously review the Fourth Amendment implications of your stop. If the police lacked probable cause to search your vehicle or home, we would move to have the drugs suppressed.
- Challenging Confidential Informants: Many trafficking arrests rely on "snitches" who are trading information for their own leniency. We investigate their backgrounds to expose their bias and unreliability.
- Lack of Knowledge: We highlight the "blind mule" defense in cases where our clients were used to transport substances without their consent or knowledge.
- Sentencing Mitigation: If a conviction is likely, we work to show the court your character and circumstances to secure the absolute minimum sentence possible.
Shepherding You Through the Criminal Justice System Your Advocate, Every Step of the Way
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Tailored Defense
We design personalized legal strategies to fit your unique case, ensuring the best path forward for your situation.
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Client-Centered Approach
Compassionate and approachable, we guide you through the process with clear communication and understanding.
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Focused Representation
From DUI and traffic violations to college disciplinary cases, we leverage our deep understanding of the law.
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Unique Insight
With experience as a former judge, Patrick Alan Moran offers unparalleled perspective and strategic advantage.
How We Defend Drug Trafficking Cases In Tucson
Defending a drug trafficking case in Tucson starts with understanding your story, your priorities, and the specific facts of your case. We begin by listening, reviewing the evidence, and identifying what matters most to you — whether that is avoiding prison, protecting your career or immigration status, or staying in school.
Drawing on experience and knowledge of how prosecutors build these cases, we develop a strategy tailored to your circumstances, the strength of the evidence, and your long-term goals.
Our defense approach includes:
- Careful review of police conduct – Examining traffic stops, searches, and warrants to determine whether constitutional requirements were followed.
- Analysis of the evidence – Evaluating the substance involved, quantity, packaging, and materials such as text messages, financial records, or statements to understand how the state may argue intent to distribute.
- Strategic motion practice – Challenging unlawful stops, searches, or weak evidence where appropriate.
- Exploring resolution options – Discussing plea negotiations, alternative outcomes, or preparing for trial when necessary.
- Client-focused planning – Considering your background, prior history, and personal goals in shaping the defense strategy.
- Clear communication – Explaining each stage of the process in plain language and keeping you informed from early hearings through final resolution.
When you work with a drug trafficking lawyer in Tucson, you should know what is happening and why. We strive to explain each stage, from early hearings through any potential resolution, in plain language. Our team also works to respond to questions in a reasonable time, because we understand how stressful waiting for updates can be.
Protecting College Students & Their Futures
Drug trafficking allegations involving college students raise special concerns. In addition to facing criminal charges in courts such as Pima County Superior Court, a student in Tucson may also be called before a university disciplinary board. The rules and procedures in those settings are different from criminal courts, and the potential outcomes can affect education for years.
Universities, including the University of Arizona, generally use their own codes of conduct and separate hearing processes to address alleged violations. These hearings can result in sanctions that range from warnings to suspension, loss of housing, or expulsion, depending on the situation. The standard of proof and the way evidence is handled are usually not the same as in a courtroom, which can be confusing for students and families.
Our firm is familiar with how criminal cases and university proceedings can unfold at the same time. We help students and parents understand the relationship between the two, and how choices in one setting may affect the other. For example, statements made in a campus hearing may later appear in criminal proceedings, so preparation and careful planning are important.
Talk With Our Drug Trafficking Attorneys in Tucson
If you or someone you care about is facing drug trafficking charges in the Tucson area, you do not have to navigate this alone. Speaking with our firm can help you understand what the charges mean, what the next steps will likely be, and how we work to protect your rights and future.
At Law Offices of Patrick Alan Moran, LLC, we draw on more than two decades of criminal law experience, including public defender service, and our familiarity with both courtrooms and university disciplinary boards. We take the time to listen, provide straightforward evaluations, and develop strategies that reflect your specific situation and goals.
We invite you to contact us online to discuss your case in a confidential setting and to learn how our team may be able to help. You can also reach us at (520) 402-3226.
What To Do After An Arrest Or Investigation
It is usually wise to remain calm and say as little as possible about the facts of the situation until you have legal guidance. You generally have the right to remain silent and the right to ask for an attorney. Many people feel pressure to explain themselves to police in hopes of clearing things up, but unplanned statements can be misunderstood or later used in court.
Right after an arrest or contact by law enforcement, it can help to:
- Ask clearly to speak with an attorney before answering questions about the situation.
- Avoid discussing case facts on the phone from jail, via text messages, or on social media.
- Keep track of any paperwork you receive, such as release conditions or court dates.
- Share only accurate information with family members so they can help you seek legal help.
- Contact a drug trafficking defense lawyer in Tucson promptly so you can review what happened and your next steps.
We speak with many people at this early stage, when everything feels uncertain. Our role is to listen, help you understand the process, and discuss how our firm approaches cases like yours.
Don't face a trafficking charge alone. Reach out to Law Offices of Patrick Alan Moran, LLC at (520) 402-3226 or message us online for a free consultation.
