Respect. Help. Professionalism.

Facing Drug Charges In St. Martin Parish? Protect Your Freedom Now.

A drug arrest in Lafayette or St. Martin Parish threatens your livelihood, your freedom and your future. Whether it was a traffic stop on I-10 or a search of your home, you need a defense that starts moving the moment the handcuffs click. As a Lafayette drug charges attorney, I move fast, working to get you out of jail and dismantling the prosecutor’s case against you.

Since becoming a criminal defense attorney in 2003, I have been focused on fighting to protect my clients’ rights. The prosecutor will do whatever it takes to convict you. My law firm, Donald D. Cleveland, APLC, can help you level the playing field and help you seek the best possible results.

My Time-Tested Process For Dealing With Drug Charges

Our first concern is getting you out of jail. Judges often set bond quite high for drug charges. I can file for a bond reduction and do everything possible to get you out of jail and back with your family during the trial. Next, I will investigate your case to determine the quality of the prosecutor’s case against you, considering factors like:

The search of the vehicle, person or residence
The officer(s) who made the stop, search and arrest
The owner of the vehicle
The location, quantity and type of narcotics seized
Any statements made to the police
For drugs allegedly found in a residence, the circumstances surrounding the police’s entry into the home
The potential penalties that you could receive
Whether there exists any potential to have the court suppress state’s evidence

Using these factors, I will consult with you to determine the best plan going forward for you and your family. Sometimes the prosecutor has a very strong case, and it is in the best interest of the client to negotiate a favorable plea bargain, which may include a lesser offense. And sometimes it is more appropriate to take your case to trial and fight for a not guilty verdict.

As a lawyer, I take an aggressive, proactive approach with research and motions, weakening the prosecutor’s case from the beginning to give you the best chance possible in negotiation or trial.

Ready To Represent You In All Types Of Drug Cases

I can defend you against any drug-related crimes involving marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs and more, including:

Distribution
Manufacturing
Possession
Possession with intent to distribute
Trafficking

When facing drug charges in Louisiana, there is much more than just your immediate comfort and standard of living at stake; it is about your future and your family’s future. That’s what I am fighting for.

Stopped On I-10? Your Rights May Have Been Violated.

If you were driving on Interstate 10 through Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Lafayette or St. Martin Parish, and police stopped you and searched your car without a valid reason, your rights may have been violated. As a drug defense lawyer, I check if the police performed an illegal search. Under the law, you are protected against unfair searches by the government. It is important to understand how these stops work and what makes a search illegal:

Prolonged stops: Police can only pull you over on I-10 to deal with the main reason for the stop, like a speeding ticket. If they make you wait extra time just to call for backup or wait for a drug dog, they may be breaking the law.
K-9 alerts: A K-9 is a specially trained police dog used to sniff out illegal drugs. If a dog “alerts,” or signals that it smells something, officers use that as a reason to search your car. However, these dogs can be wrong. They sometimes react to their handlers’ signals or smell old scents from people who were in the car before you.
Illegal searches: An officer usually needs a warrant or a very strong reason to search your private property. If an officer searches your trunk, glove box or bags without your permission and without a legal reason, that is an illegal search.

If your attorney shows the search was illegal, the judge can suppress the evidence. That means the prosecutor may not be able to use it against you. I know how to challenge unlawful stops, expose weak K‑9 alerts and fight back in court. Your rights matter, and I act quickly to protect your freedom and future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Crimes

Having defended people from drug crimes for over two decades, I have been asked many questions. Here is a collection of questions clients have asked me over the years:

How does Louisiana law define controlled substances?

Many people believe that dangerous substances, such as heroin and methamphetamine, are the only drugs that are subject to Louisiana’s controlled substance laws. However, many substances that people buy over the counter at stores are also subject to controlled substance laws. Louisiana and federal laws state that controlled substances are any kind of drug that could pose a risk of abuse or addiction.

Five different drug schedules manage the availability of a substance. Schedule III, IV and V can be used in hospitals, prescribed by doctors or bought in stores because of the low to moderate risk of abuse. Schedule II substances are the second-highest category, including fentanyl and cocaine, because of their high risk of addiction. Schedule I substances have the most restrictions, having no known legal medical uses.

How do Louisiana’s habitual offender laws affect drug crime sentencing?

A person may be convicted more than once for drug possession, dealing or manufacturing. An initial, low-level drug possession charge, for example, may only carry a minimal sentence upon conviction. However, under Louisiana’s habitual offender laws, consecutive drug crimes can lead to harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences and larger fines. If a person triggers a third offense, they may face the maximum penalty of life in prison without parole. This is called a “three strikes” law or habitual offender designation.

Are there any diversion programs available for drug offenders in Louisiana?

A person facing drug crimes may be able to avoid a serious sentence by agreeing to a diversion program. Louisiana’s pretrial diversion program allows first-time offenders to avoid jail time by participating in a program that involves counseling sessions, educational classes, rehabilitation, community service and frequent drug testing.

How long does it typically take to resolve a drug case?

Drug cases are often complex, typically taking between six months to over a year to resolve. A defendant will likely need to go through the trial process, including investigation, charging, hearing, discovery, plea bargaining, jury deliberation and verdict. Each of these steps can take longer depending on the evidence available, witness statements, offenses and appeals.