What Happens After a Drug Trafficking Arrest in Louisiana?

An arrest for drug trafficking in or around Metairie, Louisiana, can shatter your peace of mind. The moment police place you in custody, a complex, overwhelming legal machine roars to life. You may feel confused, anxious, or completely hopeless.

The most important step you can take is to get immediate legal help. Very few cases are as black and white or open and shut as they seem. There are frequently more options available to defendants than they realize, and a qualified criminal defense attorney can help you find them. Understanding the specific procedures and statutes of Louisiana law gives you a critical advantage from the start.

Steps Following a Drug Trafficking Arrest

Understanding the legal process can bring individuals peace of mind when they’re arrested for a serious crime like drug trafficking.

The Immediate Aftermath: Booking and Initial Appearance

The legal process begins immediately after your arrest. Law enforcement will transport you to a detention facility for booking. This involves documenting the arrest, taking your mugshot and fingerprints, and seizing any personal property.

The Bond Hearing and Pretrial Release

At this initial appearance, the judge addresses the issue of bail. The court may also determine or review a prior bail determination. For a serious felony like drug trafficking, the judge assesses multiple factors to set a bond amount, or sometimes denies bond entirely. Factors considered include the severity of the alleged crime, your criminal history, and whether the court considers you a flight risk or a danger to the community.

Formal Charging and Arraignment

After the initial court appearance, your case moves into the formal charging phase. Drug trafficking is a felony in Louisiana, meaning the case often moves through the indictment process.

The Indictment or Bill of Information

For felony charges, the prosecution can proceed in one of two ways. They may present evidence to a grand jury, which then decides if enough probable cause exists to issue an indictment. Alternatively, the prosecutor may file a Bill of Information directly with the court. Both documents formally charge you with a crime. The state of Louisiana must prove you knowingly or intentionally possessed a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, dispense, or manufacture it. 

Arraignment

The next major court date is the arraignment. This is where you appear before a judge and formally enter a plea to the charge. Your criminal defense attorney stands beside you, formally representing you in the court process.

The Serious Nature of Louisiana Drug Trafficking Laws

Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S.) Title 40, which includes R.S. 40:966 and R.S. 40:967, sets out strict penalties for drug offenses, including drug trafficking, often classified as “Manufacture, Distribution, or Possession with Intent to Distribute.” 

The severity of the penalty depends on three key factors:

• The Schedule of the Drug: Louisiana’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law places drugs into five Schedules (I through V). Schedule I drugs (like heroin) and Schedule II drugs (like cocaine and fentanyl) carry the harshest penalties
• The Quantity of the Drug: The amount of the controlled substance is a major factor. Possessing a larger aggregate weight triggers significantly longer mandatory minimum sentences and higher fines
• Prior Convictions: Previous felony drug convictions can increase penalties exponentially

A conviction for drug trafficking in Louisiana can mean decades in prison and fines reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. Furthermore, a felony drug conviction creates lasting collateral consequences, including difficulty securing employment, obtaining housing, or maintaining professional licenses. The state may also seek asset forfeiture—the seizure of property or money allegedly connected to the crime.

Building a Detail-Oriented Defense Strategy

Your defense begins the moment you hire an attorney. At The Bradley Law Firm, we believe in a technology-focused, detail-oriented, and attentive approach to every single case. Our strategy focuses on challenging the fundamental legal and factual components of the prosecution’s case.

The following are some key opportunities we’ll utilize for your defense:

• Challenging the Stop and Search: If law enforcement violated your Fourth Amendment rights, we can file a Motion to Suppress Evidence. If the court grants this motion, the illegally obtained drugs cannot be used against you, which may lead to the charges being dropped
• Contesting Intent to Distribute: The prosecutor must prove you possessed the substance with the intent to distribute, not just possess it for personal use. A legal team reviews the evidence for alternative explanations that undermine the claim of distribution, fighting to reduce the charge to simple possession, which carries less severe penalties
• Reviewing Evidence and Procedures: We conduct a comprehensive and attentive review of all evidence, including lab results, police reports, and video recordings. We look for procedural missteps, inconsistencies in witness statements, or failures in the handling of evidence, all of which can weaken the prosecution’s case

Jarred Bradley’s unique background, including his MBA and experience as a Chief Operating Officer, allows The Bradley Law Firm to bring a sharp, analytical, and detail-oriented approach to case review. We understand how to dissect complex situations and expose subtle details that can make a significant difference in court.

Pre-Trial Motions, Negotiation, and Trial

Following the arraignment and the initial phase of evidence review, the legal process moves toward either a resolution or a trial.

Pre-Trial Hearings

Your defense attorney will file various motions, arguing legal points to the judge. This might include motions to suppress evidence, motions for discovery to compel the prosecution to provide all evidence, or motions to dismiss certain elements of the charges. These motions are critical moments in a case, and they demand a detail-oriented, focused legal strategy.

Plea Negotiations

While a criminal defense firm must always prepare for trial, we also engage in negotiation with the prosecutor. A favorable plea deal might involve reducing a trafficking charge to a lesser offense, thereby avoiding the most severe mandatory minimum sentences. This option is sometimes explored to mitigate risk, but the choice is always yours.

Trial

If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial. The state carries the burden of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We will fight for you from day one, employing a results-oriented defense strategy and leading you through the entire process, giving you the peace of mind and freedom to concentrate on getting your life back together. Everyone deserves a second chance, and our focus is on securing the most favorable outcome possible.

Take the Next Proactive Step

Facing a drug trafficking charge, whether in Metairie, Kenner, or throughout Jefferson Parish, creates immediate and serious consequences. Do not wait for the system to dictate your future. You need an attentive legal advocate who will work proactively, applying a deep knowledge of Louisiana statutes and procedures to your defense.

The Bradley Law Firm is ready to listen to your story and explain your options. We believe in providing personal attention, ensuring you are never “just a number” among many clients. Call us now at 504-336-1717 to begin your defense. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and chart a path forward.