Federal law has severe consequences for weapon offenses. You can face harsher punishment for using firearms during drug-related and violent crimes. You might get a minimum of five years in prison or decades if convicted. The involvement of firearms can result in dire consequences, and you must hire an experienced Fort Bend drug attorney to prove your innocence and prevent such an outcome. A skilled legal expert can handle the case in the best possible way, and you can protect your interests and avoid spending years in prison.
What Are the Penalties for Such Crimes?
As stated earlier, the federal statute has more severe penalties for firearms involvement in violent crimes. The same applies to drug-related crimes. Under the 18 U.S.C. Section 924(c), it has a longer sentence when a person uses firearms or carries them while doing a drug trafficking crime and violence. A violent crime will be more dangerous when it involves firearms or threatens to use them. The attempted use, threatened use, or repeated use against any property or individual will result in longer sentences. Reach out to a reliable Fort Bend drug lawyer and know the penalties and how to avoid them.
The mandatory minimum punishment duration will vary based on the gun type and the severity of the crime. However, the committed can face the following penalties when using firearms during drug-related and violent crimes.
- For possessing a gun: The minimum sentence is five years to life in prison when carrying a gun during the crime.
- For brandishing a gun: The minimum sentence is seven years to life in prison while brandishing a gun during the crime.
- For discharging a firearm: The minimum sentence is ten years to life in prison when discharging a firearm during the crime.
- For possessing a short-barreled rifle, shotgun, or semiautomatic weapon: It is ten years to life in prison for having these weapons during a crime.
- For possessing any destructive device or machine gun with a muffler or firearm silencer: The minimum sentence is three decades to life in prison for having these weapons.
The penalties will be more severe for repeated offenses. The second offense of using or carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking or violent crime will be a minimum of twenty-five years in prison. The mandatory minimum sentence for the second conviction is twenty-five years to life in prison. If the second conviction involves a destructive device, machine gun, or gun with a muffler or firearm silencer, life in prison will be the minimum mandatory sentence.
In brief, you will have to spend a minimum of five years in prison if convicted. The repeated offenders will have more severe consequences and can only find relief by working with a criminal defense attorney Sugar Land. The legal professional will have experience in handling similar cases. Therefore, you can expect a favorable outcome.
When Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
You will have to hire an attorney as soon as possible to make the legal process smooth. An experienced attorney can work with you throughout the process and bring positive results.
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Lawrence Law Firm, PLLC
Address:695 Industrial Blvd #100, Sugar Land, TX USA, 77478
Phone: (832) 356-4404