Most federal offenses carry significant penalties upon conviction. Amongst those offenses are those involving drugs. With the war on drugs seeming to rage on, federal prosecutors still take a hard line on those Californians they believe are breaking the law. This means that those who are accused of these crimes could be up against aggressive prosecutors and tough legal arguments. In these situations, it is critical to develop as strong of a California criminal defense as is possible under the circumstances. Failing to do so could lead to the imposition of tough penalties.
A former NFL player may need to do that now after being indicted on charges related to racketeering and drug conspiracy. According to reports, Derek Loville, who played for the San Francisco 49ers, amongst others, is accused of playing a significant role in an enterprise that included illegal gambling and drug trafficking. Authorities allege Loville sold narcotics across the nation and collected payments. Further, Loville is accused of conspiring with others to distribute a variety of drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine.
Though only facing two federal charges, each carries a potential penalty of life in prison. Therefore, Loville, and those who face similar criminal charges, need to remain strong in their criminal defense. And, mounting a proper defense, it should be realized, is not always easy, particularly when having to defend against multiple charges.
This is why it is important to ensure a defendant has the time, resources and knowledge necessary to adequately protect his or her legal rights and fight for his or her future. A criminal defense attorney can oftentimes bring many of these attributes to the table, perhaps, leaving a criminal defendant in a better position than if he or she were to go at it alone.
Source: KRON, “Former San Francisco 49er indicted on racketeering and drug conspiracy charges,” Jan. 28, 2015