What penalties might you face for fentanyl trafficking?

Fentanyl trafficking is increasing across Texas and the rest of the United States. If you currently face a fentanyl trafficking charge, you may have valid concerns about the severity of the penalties you may face if that charge leads to a conviction. Because of the dangerous nature of fentanyl, the penalties associated with selling and trafficking the drug are often severe. Most offenders who receive fentanyl-related convictions wind up spending considerable time behind bars. Per the United States Sentencing Commission, many offenders convicted of fentanyl trafficking face the following consequences in the aftermath.

Typical penalties

You face a high chance of having to serve time for fentanyl trafficking, with 97.4% of those who face these charges winding up spending time in prison. For those who did go to prison on fentanyl trafficking charges, the average amount of time they spent there was 74 months. However, if your fentanyl trafficking offense involved a firearm, you face a heightened chance of receiving a more severe sentence. The same holds true if a judge or jury determines that you had a leadership or supervisory role in the offense.

Sentence trends

Research shows that sentences for fentanyl trafficking have increased in recent years. In 2016, the average fentanyl trafficker had to serve 66 months in prison following a conviction. Yet, by 2018, the average fentanyl trafficker wound up spending 74 months in prison following a conviction for fentanyl trafficking. Fentanyl charges carry substantial penalties that may have a sizable impact on your personal and professional future. While drug charges often carry substantial criminal penalties, they may also hinder your professional, educational or recreational opportunities.