Effective Representation in San Francisco, California
Federal Criminal Defense for Drug Crimes Involving Cocaine

If you are charged with committing a crime involving cocaine in federal court, you are facing potentially very serious penalties including the loss of your freedom for a lengthy period of time because of the mandatory minimum sentences called for by the United States Congress. If a cocaine case is charged in federal court, this typically means that large quantities of the drug are involved. Possession of between five hundred grams and five kilograms of cocaine salt (powder) with intent to distribute, or distribution of that amount, has a mandatory minimum sentence of five years on prison. The possession of as few as fifty grams of cocaine base, also known as crack, also carries this mandatory minimum sentence. For cases of over five kilograms, the mandatory minimum sentence is ten years. And if the person charged has any prior felony drug convictions, even for just simple possession, then sentences go up drastically - even to life without possibility of release in some cases.

Because cocaine offenses, particularly those involving crack cocaine, are pursued so aggressively, law enforcement agencies will often use legally questionable methods of investigation as they gather evidence, including unauthorized wire taps or warrantless searches and seizures.

At the Law Offices of John M. Runfola, we have defended clients charged with federal cocaine offenses. From our office in San Francisco, we work with clients from all over California and the United States, thoroughly investigating their cases and protecting their Constitutional rights against unauthorized wire taps and illegal searches and seizures. Our firm understands that these charges are serious and have the potential to negatively impact the rest of your life.

Our firm will attempt to get your charges dismissed or reduced by working with experts, including private investigators, forensic experts and others who can determine your level of involvement in the case and can find out if mistakes were made by the prosecution during their investigation. If we can't get the charges dismissed, then we zealously defend our clients in trials. We have handled and won many large federal cases involving cocaine because we are exhaustive in our approach and will not back down in defending our clients' rights.

Drug Charges Involving Cocaine
The types of cocaine cases that are charged in federal court usually include:

Cocaine trafficking or importation/exportation
Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
Distribution of cocaine (i.e. cocaine sales)
Conspiracy distribute cocaine
Conspiracy to import or export cocaine

You may also face additional penalties if you possessed and/or used a firearm when the alleged cocaine offense occurred. In these cases, you cannot afford to leave your freedom up to an attorney who does not have the experience to handle your case correctly.

If you are under investigation for, or have been charged with a federal offense involving cocaine, contact the Law Offices of John M. Runfola to get the defense you deserve. We offer a free initial consultation and are available to our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience. Call us at 415-391-4243.