How an Attorney Can Help You Navigate Massachusetts’ Harsh Drug Trafficking Laws

Written By: Matthew W. Peterson

Published: 05/07/2025

Share Us:

If you or a loved one is facing drug trafficking charges in Massachusetts, you need to understand that you’re up against some of the toughest drug trafficking laws in the nation. Massachusetts imposes extraordinarily severe penalties for drug trafficking offenses, with mandatory minimum sentences that can dramatically alter the course of your life.

As an attorney who has helped many clients through this difficult process, the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson want to share how proper legal representation can make a crucial difference in your case.

Massachusetts' Strict Drug Trafficking Laws And Penalties

Massachusetts stands out for its particularly harsh approach to drug trafficking. What many people don’t realize is that “trafficking” charges are primarily based on the weight of drugs in your possession—not whether you were actually selling them.

The mandatory minimum sentences in Massachusetts under Massachusetts G.L.c. 94C, § 32E, are among the most severe in the country:

Penalties For Cocaine, Crack, or Methamphetamine

18-36 grams: 2-15 years in state prison
36-100 grams: 3½-20 years in state prison
100-200 grams: 8-20 years in state prison
200+ grams: 12-20 years in state prison

Penalties For Heroin, Fentanyl, or Morphine

18-36 grams: 3½-20 years in state prison
36-100 grams: 5-20 years in state prison
100-200 grams: 8-20 years in state prison
200+ grams: 12-20 years in state prison

Penalties For Marijuana

50-100 pounds: 1-15 years in state prison
100-2000 pounds: 2-15 years in state prison
2000-10,000 pounds: 3½-15 years in state prison
10,000+ pounds: 8-15 years in state prison

The term “mandatory minimum” means exactly what it sounds like—judges have no discretion to go below these minimums, even if they believe your personal circumstances warrant leniency. This is why having a skilled attorney is absolutely essential.

How an Attorney Can Fight for You

Facing these severe penalties can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this alone. Here’s how we can help:

1. Immediate Protection of Your Rights

From the moment you retain legal counsel, we begin protecting your rights. This includes ensuring that police and prosecutors follow proper procedures and respect your constitutional protections. Many cases can be significantly weakened or even dismissed due to improper police conduct, and we’ll be there to identify and challenge these issues.

2. Thorough Investigation of Your Case

We’ll conduct our own investigation, which often reveals crucial details that law enforcement may have overlooked or ignored. This includes:

Reviewing police reports for inconsistencies
Examining the chain of custody for the drugs
Interviewing witnesses
Analyzing the circumstances of any searches or seizures

3. Challenging the Weight and Nature of the Substances

Since Massachusetts’ penalties are largely based on weight thresholds, we’ll:

Ensure independent testing of the alleged substances
Challenge the prosecution’s weight measurements, especially in cases near threshold amounts
Question whether the total weight includes packaging or other materials that shouldn’t count toward the drug weight

4. Building Strong Defenses

Fourth Amendment Violations: If law enforcement conducted illegal searches of your person, vehicle, or home, we can file motions to suppress that evidence—potentially dismantling the prosecution’s entire case.
Lack of Knowledge or Possession: The prosecution must prove you knowingly possessed the drugs. If they belonged to someone else or you weren’t aware of their presence, we’ll work to establish this.
Chain of Custody Issues: We’ll examine whether the drugs presented as evidence are actually the ones seized from you, and whether they’ve been properly handled and documented.
Laboratory Testing Challenges: We can challenge the accuracy of drug tests, the qualifications of technicians, or the methods used.

5. Negotiating with Prosecutors

Even in seemingly difficult cases, skilled attorneys can often negotiate with prosecutors to:

Reduce charges to lesser offenses without mandatory minimums
Seek alternatives to incarceration, especially for first-time offenders
Explore drug treatment programs as alternatives to prison time

6. Providing Emotional Support and Clear Guidance

Beyond the legal aspects, we understand how frightening and isolating drug charges can be. We’ll be there to:

Explain each step of the process in plain language
Help you understand what to expect at each court appearance
Provide honest assessments of your case and options
Support you and your family through this challenging time

Real Help for Real People

I’ve seen firsthand how Massachusetts’ harsh drug laws can impact individuals and families. I had a client facing two years in prison for a small amount of cocaine. He had children at home, including one with severe medical issues.

We challenged the Commonwealth’s evidence, and we were able to win a motion to suppress. This means the case was thrown out, and he did not face any penalties.

Stories like this remind us that behind every case are real people with families, jobs, and futures worth fighting for.

Taking Action Now

If you’re facing drug trafficking charges in Massachusetts, time is critically important. Evidence needs to be preserved, witnesses need to be interviewed while memories are fresh, and legal motions need to be filed within strict deadlines.

The sooner you have an attorney working on your behalf, the better your chances of achieving the best possible outcome. Despite Massachusetts’ tough stance on drug crimes, with the right legal representation, there is hope for your case and your future.

Remember, everyone deserves a vigorous defense, regardless of the charges they face. The system can be intimidating, but you don’t have to face it alone. With compassionate, knowledgeable legal help, you can ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.