Fort Knox Drug Crime Lawyer

Fort Knox Drug Crime Attorney

A drug crime charge is a serious offense for civilians, but when you are an active member of the military, the sentences and consequences you face can be incredibly harsh. A simple mistake can see you dishonorably discharged and facing a wide range of penalties. You have sacrificed a lot to serve your country, and you should be proud of your decision to protect fellow Americans. Don’t take chances with your freedom; enlist the help of a Fort Knox drug crime lawyer.

At the law office of Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, our team has over a decade of experience helping civilians and military members alike defend against a wide range of criminal charges, including drug crimes. If you have recently undergone random drug testing or have been implicated in the distribution or possession of drugs or other controlled substances at Fort Knox, our firm is here to review your case and help you better understand your legal options.

Drug Charges in the Military

In the United States, Article 112(a) prohibits the possession, distribution, and use of controlled substances listed in the Controlled Substances Act as outlined by Schedules I through V. These substances can include, but are not limited to, heroin, cocaine, opium, and marijuana. The charges involving these substances can include the following:

• Wrongful possession with intent to distribute: This charge means that at a specific time and place, the charged party was in possession of a certain amount of controlled substances, was fully aware of their possession, and knew that the substance was considered contraband and that their possession of it was wrongful.
• Wrongful use of drugs: This charge can occur when the accused party makes a specific and known use of a controlled substance. The accused party was fully aware of their illegal drug use, knew the substance was considered contraband, and knew that their use was wrongful.
• Wrongful distribution of drugs: This charge can occur when the accused party has allegedly distributed a specific amount of a controlled substance and was fully aware of their actions. They also must be fully aware that the substance involved was considered to be contraband and the distribution was wrongful.
• Wrongful introduction of drugs with the intent to distribute: This charge can arise when the accused party allegedly introduces a certain amount of controlled substances onto an aircraft, vessel, installation, or vehicle in control of the United States military and does so in a knowing manner.
• Wrongful manufacturer of drugs with an intent to distribute: This charge can occur when an individual allegedly manufactured a certain amount of controlled substances with the knowledge of what they were doing and with intent while also knowing that this substance is considered to be contraband.
• Wrongful exportation or importation of drugs: This charge can arise when an individual has allegedly exported or imported a specific amount of a controlled substance in a knowing manner and was fully aware of the fact that the substance involved was contraband.

Potential Consequences for Military Drug Offenses in Fort Knox

Being charged with a drug crime while being a member of the military can come with serious penalties, including facing potential court-martial, loss of benefits, and a Dishonorable Discharge. It is important to understand the severity of these charges and how they might impact your future and military career. The most common consequences of military drug offenses at Fort Knox can include the following:

• Court-martial proceedings: These proceedings can begin if the commanding officer involved in the drug charge decides to open them or the service member accused of a drug crime requests a court-martial before nonjudicial punishment can commence. Depending on the severity of your case, these proceedings may be special, summary, or general court-martial. In a special or general court-martial, counsel will be expected.
• Discharge: If your charge leads to a discharge, it can come as an Other Than Honorable or OTH. This will most likely be indicated on your DD-214 form, characterizing your military career. While an OTH discharge is less severe than a Dishonorable Discharge, they can both lead to civilian consequences.
• Lost benefits: In cases of an Honorable or Dishonorable Discharge, you may also lose certain benefits and privileges in regard to civilian life. Any housing benefits you might have received from the VA will be stripped, benefits from the GI Bill will become unavailable, and your VA care will become limited.
• Incarceration. If the degree of your offense is severe enough to merit a court-martial, there is also a potential risk that you will face incarceration. The length of your jail or prison time will depend on which court-martial case is opened.
• Future impact. If you face an OTH or Dishonorable Discharge, civilian employers will want to know why you were fired from the military. This can make it more difficult to find employment after your military career comes to an end.

Defending Against Drug Charges at Fort Knox

If you are facing drug crimes at Fort Knox, the right thing to do is secure aggressive and fierce defense who can fight against these charges. There are several angles your defense can take, depending on the nature of your charges, including the following:

• Issues with sample collection: Your Fort Knox Drug Crime Lawyer may be able to argue the fact that the drug test results were faulty in terms of contamination or mishandling or that there were other factors involved which led to a false positive.
• Innocence: Your Fort Knox Drug Crime attorney may be able to argue the fact that you did not knowingly ingest the drug in question. This strategy often involves demonstrating that you were slipped the drug and or didn’t realize that using the drug itself was illegal.
• Other: Two further common defenses can include arguing that the substance involved was not actually a controlled substance or seeking to challenge the legality of the search and seizure that resulted in your charges.

Speak with an Experienced Fort Knox Drug Crime Lawyer Today

If you or someone you know has tested positive for drugs or have been charged with another drug crime while serving at Fort Knox, it is vital that you seek the assistance of an experienced drug crime attorney. Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, is here to serve you. Contact the firm today to schedule an initial consultation with our team.