Raleigh Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Drug Trafficking Attorney In Raleigh

Drug trafficking charges are not only harsh in North Carolina, but they can also be complex, depending on the type of substance involved. A skilled Raleigh drug trafficking lawyer can assess your case and develop a strategy to secure a fair verdict for your case.

W. James Payne Law Firm has been serving people throughout Raleigh and beyond for over 40 years, so we’re confident in our abilities to help you with your case.

Drug Trafficking Laws in North Carolina

Drug trafficking refers to creating, delivering, manufacturing, or selling controlled substances, as well as possession in certain quantities. You can be charged with drug trafficking in North Carolina, even if you aren’t intending to sell your supply. It’s enough to simply possess a sufficiently large amount that you could feasibly sell it.

In 2022, there were 34,852 drug crime arrests in North Carolina. Police and government authorities take drug trafficking offenses very seriously, as 3,213 North Carolinians died in 2024 due to drug overdoses.

Under North Carolina law, you can be charged with drug trafficking for different amounts, as it depends on the substance. You can be penalized with the minimum sentence for drug trafficking if you’re caught with:

• 100 units of LSD
• Four grams of opioids
• 28 grams of cocaine, methamphetamines, or MDMA
• 10 lbs. of marijuana

Regardless of the nature of your charges, it’s important to know what measures can secure the optimal outcome. It’s helpful to understand Raleigh drug trafficking laws and how your case applies to them. That way, you and your attorney can seek reduced or dropped charges.

Raleigh Drug Trafficking Cases

When defending against drug trafficking charges, it’s important to know the Raleigh drug trafficking laws as well as your rights. Even when you have charges against you, you have constitutional rights that must be honored by courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and anyone else who handles your case.

Your rights include:

• Innocence until proven guilty
• The right to remain silent
• The right to an attorney
• No unreasonable searches and seizures

The burden of proof in criminal cases is on the prosecution. This means you are considered innocent until proven guilty. To be proven guilty, they must prove that you committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

You have the right to remain silent and meet with an attorney upon your arrest. Once you ask to speak with an attorney, you can invoke your right to silence to avoid answering too many questions and accidentally implicating yourself in some way.

Furthermore, you have the right to say no to unreasonable searches and seizures. The Raleigh Police Department and other law enforcement agencies must present a search warrant, or they need to prove probable cause in more pressing circumstances.

Violations of these basic rights can form the basis of your defense. It’s important to relay as much about your situation as possible to your drug trafficking attorney. That way, they can start bolstering your defense.

Your Local Raleigh Drug Trafficking Lawyer

If you’re facing drug trafficking charges, it’s wise to hire a drug trafficking lawyer to help with your case. At W. James Payne Law Firm, we understand Raleigh drug trafficking laws, so we can guide you through your case to make sure you’re treated fairly throughout it. Moreover, we can work toward reducing your charges or having your case dropped altogether.

W. James Payne has been a criminal defense lawyer in North Carolina since 1984. He has experience in handling all types of criminal cases, including drug trafficking charges. We’ve built a solid reputation over the years, earning a spot on America’s Top 100 Attorneys list and the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers list.

Moreover, we’re an Avvo Top Attorney, have been rated by Super Lawyers® for 10 years, and won the Police Benevolent Association Award in 2023, along with the title of Lawyers of Distinction in 2025. Most importantly, we’ve earned the trust and respect of countless clients, as we’ve defended them against many types of drug charges.

FAQs

What Is the Minimum Sentence for Drug Trafficking in Raleigh?

The minimum mandatory sentence for drug trafficking in North Carolina is 25 months in prison for a Class H felony. The exact amount of a substance you must have on you to be charged with trafficking depends on the type of drug.

For example, you must have 28 grams or more of cocaine for it to be considered trafficking, but you only need to be in possession of four grams of heroin and other opioids.

What Evidence Do I Need to Defend Against Drug Trafficking in Raleigh?

The exact details about your defense against drug trafficking charges are contingent on the nature of your charges. That said, drug trafficking defenses typically aim to do one of three things:

1. Claiming that your rights were violated
2. Invalidating the prosecution’s claims
3. Presenting affirmative defenses

Common defenses include:

• Coercion
• Entrapment
• Faulty investigations
• Illegal searches
• Lack of intent
• Lack of knowledge

Understanding the role of criminal intent is essential in many drug trafficking cases. This guide on criminal intent in North Carolina explains how prosecutors must prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt.

Do I Have to Hire a Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Raleigh?

You’re not obligated to work with a drug trafficking attorney when facing charges in Raleigh. That said, it’s wise to contact a legal professional, even if you technically can do it on your own. Our drug trafficking attorney at W. James Payne Law Firm has experience in navigating drug trafficking laws in North Carolina, so we can ensure a fair legal process, no matter the nature of your charges.

Is Drug Trafficking a Misdemeanor or Felony in Raleigh?

Criminal cases are typically classified as either felonies or misdemeanors. Drug trafficking is a serious crime that is prosecuted harshly under North Carolina law. These types of charges are classified as felonies at every level, which brings strict penalties, including:

• Fines
• Time in prison
• Loss of assets tied to the crime
• Probation
• Revocation of federal benefits

A Raleigh drug trafficking lawyer can work to have your charges reduced or dropped. That way, you can move on as quickly as possible.

Hire a Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Raleigh for Your Case

If you’ve been charged with drug trafficking, it’s wise to connect with a local attorney as quickly as possible. Our team at W. James Payne Law Firm can represent your interests and assert your rights throughout your case. Contact our office to set up a consultation today.