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Louisiana Drug Crimes Attorney: Possession & Trafficking Defense
A drug charge in Louisiana can turn your life upside down in an instant. The fear of jail time, losing your job, and carrying a criminal record is overwhelming.
A Louisiana drug crimes defense attorney defends clients facing possession, trafficking, and distribution charges. Penalties range from probation to decades in prison depending on drug type and amount. Skilled legal defense can reduce charges, pursue dismissal, or negotiate alternatives to incarceration.
The good news? You have options, and the right defense strategy can protect your future. Our attorneys at Rozas Law Firm have defended thousands of drug cases across Louisiana, from simple possession to complex federal trafficking charges, in courtrooms from Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles to Shreveport.
We break down Louisiana drug laws, explain what you’re really facing, and show you how our team fights to get the best possible outcome for your case.
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What Counts as a Drug Crime in Louisiana?
Louisiana takes drug offenses seriously. The state classifies controlled substances into five schedules based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Schedule I drugs like heroin and ecstasy carry the harshest penalties. Schedule V substances have lower abuse potential and lighter consequences.
But here’s what catches many people off guard. You don’t have to be selling drugs to face serious charges. Simply possessing certain amounts can land you in felony territory.
Drug crimes in Louisiana fall into several categories:
| Charge Type | What It Means |
| Simple Possession | Having a controlled substance for personal use |
| Possession with Intent | Having enough drugs that prosecutors believe you planned to sell |
| Distribution | Selling, delivering, or sharing controlled substances |
| Trafficking | Manufacturing, transporting, or distributing large quantities |
| Manufacturing | Producing or cultivating illegal drugs |
The charge you face depends on three main factors: the type of drug, the amount found, and your prior criminal history. A first-time marijuana possession charge looks very different from a third-offense cocaine trafficking case.
Louisiana law also enhances penalties in certain situations. Getting caught near a school, park, or church adds extra years to your sentence. Having a firearm during a drug offense increases penalties significantly. And selling to minors brings some of the toughest consequences in the state.
Understanding your specific charge is the first step toward building a real defense.
Drug Possession Charges in Louisiana
Possession is the most common drug charge in Louisiana. In fact, over 105,000 drug possession arrests occurred statewide between 2020 and 2024. Many of those arrests involved everyday people with no prior criminal record.
Louisiana law recognizes two types of possession. Actual possession means drugs were found on your body or in your hands. Constructive possession means drugs were found in an area you controlled, like your car, home, or backpack. Both can result in criminal charges.
Marijuana possession is the most frequent drug arrest in the state. While Louisiana decriminalized small amounts in 2021, you can still face penalties:
| Amount | Classification | Potential Penalty |
| 14 grams or less | Misdemeanor | Up to $100 fine (first offense) |
| 14.1 to 27.9 grams | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months jail, $500 fine |
| 28 grams to 2.49 pounds | Felony | 1 to 10 years prison, up to $50,000 fine |
| 2.5 pounds or more | Felony | 1 to 20 years prison, up to $50,000 fine |
Harder drugs carry steeper consequences. Possession of cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine can result in up to 5 years in prison for a first offense. Fentanyl possession brings up to 10 years for amounts under 28 grams.
A drug possession lawyer in Louisiana can evaluate your case for potential defenses. These include challenging the legality of the search, questioning whether you actually knew the drugs were present, or proving the substance wasn’t what prosecutors claim.
First-time offenders may qualify for diversion programs that keep convictions off your record. Our team at Rozas helps clients explore every available option.
Louisiana Drug Trafficking and Distribution Charges
Trafficking and distribution charges are a different ballgame entirely. These are felonies that carry mandatory minimum sentences, massive fines, and the possibility of decades behind bars.
Here’s what many people don’t realize. You don’t have to be caught selling drugs to face trafficking charges. In Louisiana, trafficking is largely a crime of weight and measurement. If police find you with more than a certain amount of any controlled substance, prosecutors can charge you with trafficking based on quantity alone.
The state assumes that large amounts equal intent to sell. It doesn’t matter if the drugs were actually for personal use.
Louisiana trafficking thresholds and penalties vary by substance:
| Substance | Trafficking Threshold | Potential Prison Time | Potential Fine |
| Marijuana | 2.5 pounds or more | 1 to 20 years | Up to $50,000 |
| Cocaine | 28 grams or more | 5 to 30 years | Up to $50,000 |
| Heroin | 28 grams or more | 5 to 40 years | Up to $50,000 |
| Methamphetamine | 28 grams or more | 5 to 30 years | Up to $50,000 |
| Fentanyl | 28 grams or more | 5 to 40 years | Up to $50,000 |
Distribution charges apply when prosecutors believe you sold, delivered, or even shared drugs with another person. Giving a friend a pill can technically count as distribution under Louisiana law.
Penalties get worse fast in certain situations. Selling within 2,000 feet of a school adds years to your sentence. Distribution to a minor can double the standard penalty. Having a weapon during the offense triggers additional mandatory time.
A drug trafficking lawyer in Louisiana understands how prosecutors build these cases. Many trafficking charges rely heavily on the legality of the search that produced the evidence. If police violated your Fourth Amendment rights, that evidence may be thrown out completely.
Our attorneys at Rozas Law Firm have handled some of the largest drug cases in the Baton Rouge area. We know how to challenge the prosecution’s assumptions and fight for reduced charges or dismissal.
Louisiana Drug Schedules and Penalties
Understanding how Louisiana classifies drugs helps you understand what you’re up against. The state uses a five-tier scheduling system that mirrors federal law. Schedule I carries the harshest penalties. Schedule V carries the lightest.
Here’s how the schedules break down:
Schedule I includes drugs with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Examples include heroin, LSD, ecstasy (MDMA), and synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice). Possession alone can bring 4 to 10 years in prison.
Schedule II covers drugs with high abuse potential but some accepted medical use under strict supervision. This includes cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and Adderall. Penalties for possession range from 1 to 5 years for a first offense.
Schedule III contains drugs with moderate abuse potential and accepted medical use. Examples include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and some barbiturates. First-offense possession carries up to 5 years in prison.
Schedule IV includes drugs with lower abuse potential like Xanax, Valium, and Ambien. Possession penalties max out at 5 years for a first offense.
Schedule V covers substances with the lowest abuse potential, typically medications containing limited amounts of codeine. Penalties are generally lighter, though still serious.
Repeat offenses dramatically increase penalties across all schedules:
| Offense | Potential Penalty Increase |
| Second offense | Sentences may double |
| Third offense | Mandatory minimum sentences apply |
| Fourth offense | Up to 30 years without parole eligibility |
Louisiana also imposes driver’s license suspensions for drug convictions. Anyone 19 or older convicted of a drug offense faces a suspension of 30 days to one year. This applies even if the offense had nothing to do with driving.
A marijuana attorney in Louisiana or counsel experienced with other controlled substances can explain exactly which schedule applies to your case. The specific classification affects everything from plea negotiations to potential sentencing outcomes.
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How a Louisiana Drug Crimes Attorney Can Help
Getting arrested is terrifying. But an arrest is not a conviction. What happens next depends largely on the defense strategy you build with your attorney.
A skilled Louisiana drug crimes attorney does more than show up in court. We investigate every detail of your case, looking for weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and opportunities to protect your rights.
Here’s what that process looks like in practice:
Challenging the Search and Seizure
The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches. Police need probable cause or a valid warrant to search your person, vehicle, or home. If they cut corners, any evidence they found may be inadmissible.
We review every search for potential violations. Was the traffic stop legitimate? Did officers have proper consent? Did they exceed the scope of a warrant? One procedural mistake can unravel the entire case against you.
Questioning the Evidence
Prosecutors must prove you knowingly possessed the drugs in question. If substances were found in a shared space, a borrowed car, or a room with multiple people, proving possession becomes harder.
We also verify that the alleged substance is actually what prosecutors claim. Lab testing errors happen. Chain of custody issues arise. These details matter.
Negotiating Reduced Charges
Sometimes the best outcome involves negotiating a lesser charge. A trafficking charge reduced to simple possession changes everything. A felony dropped to a misdemeanor protects your future employment options.
Pursuing Diversion Programs
Louisiana offers diversion programs and drug courts for eligible defendants. First-time offenders may complete treatment and community service instead of serving jail time. Successful completion can result in dismissed charges and no permanent conviction on your record.
Our drug possession lawyers in Louisiana help clients determine eligibility and navigate the application process.
Fighting at Trial
When negotiation isn’t the right path, we take your case to trial. Our attorneys have courtroom experience across Louisiana, from East Baton Rouge Parish to Caddo Parish. We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the strategies that work.
The bottom line? You have more options than you think. But those options narrow quickly without experienced legal counsel.
Why Choose Rozas Law Firm for Your Drug Case?
Choosing a defense attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Not every lawyer has the experience, resources, or commitment to fight drug charges effectively. Here’s what sets Rozas apart.
We’ve Handled Thousands of Criminal Cases
Our team has defended clients facing every type of drug charge Louisiana courts see. Simple possession. Intent to distribute. Federal trafficking conspiracies. We understand how these cases unfold because we’ve been through the process countless times.
We Know Louisiana Courts
Louisiana’s legal system has its own rhythms and personalities. We practice in courtrooms across the state, from Baton Rouge and Lafayette to Shreveport, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Monroe. We know the local prosecutors. We understand how different judges approach drug cases. That knowledge shapes our strategy from day one.
We Fight for Real Results
Our track record includes dismissed charges, reduced sentences, and acquittals at trial. We’ve helped clients avoid prison time through diversion programs. We’ve gotten evidence thrown out based on illegal searches. Every case is different, but our commitment to aggressive defense stays constant.
We Serve the Whole Community
Drug charges don’t discriminate. They affect college students, working parents, professionals, and immigrants alike. We offer services in both English and Spanish because we believe everyone deserves quality legal representation.
We Make the Process Less Overwhelming
Facing drug charges is stressful enough. We keep you informed at every step. We answer your calls. We explain your options in plain language. You’ll never feel like just another case number.
Exposed: What a Conviction Really Costs
Many people underestimate the true cost of a drug conviction. Beyond fines and jail time, consider:
| Consequence | Impact |
| Employment | Background checks reveal convictions for years |
| Housing | Landlords routinely deny applicants with drug records |
| Education | Financial aid eligibility may be affected |
| Child Custody | Courts consider criminal history in custody decisions |
| Immigration | Drug convictions can trigger deportation proceedings |
| Driving | License suspension of 30 days to 1 year |
Investing in experienced legal defense now can save you from consequences that last a lifetime.
Serving Clients Across Louisiana
A drug charge does not have to define the rest of your life. The actions you take right now matter more than you realize.
Louisiana prosecutors move quickly. Evidence gets processed. Court dates get scheduled. Waiting to seek legal help only limits your options. The sooner you talk to an experienced Louisiana drug crimes attorney, the more time we have to investigate your case and build a strong defense.
At Rozas Law Firm, we offer consultations to help you understand exactly what you’re facing. We’ll review the charges against you, explain the potential penalties, and outline a realistic strategy for moving forward. No judgment. No pressure. Just honest answers from attorneys who have been through this process thousands of times.
Here’s what to do next:
- Call our team at (225) 341-6945. We answer calls in English and Spanish.
- Schedule a consultation. Meet with an attorney who will listen to your story and evaluate your case.
- Get a clear plan. We’ll explain your options and help you make informed decisions about your defense.
Your job, your family, and your freedom are worth fighting for. Don’t face Louisiana’s drug laws alone.
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Meet David Rozas - Your Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney
Meet David, your trusted criminal defense attorney in Louisiana, for dedicated legal support throughout your criminal case. With years of experience in criminal law, David provides personalized legal guidance tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor, felony, or federal charges, David’s thorough knowledge of Louisiana criminal laws ensures your case is handled with care and professionalism.
Schedule a consultation below or call us at 225-341-6945 today to begin your defense with a reliable Louisiana criminal defense lawyer by your side.
