Federal Cocaine Sentence of Probation

V.V. was only 18 years old when she was arrested and faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of incarceration and a maximum sentence of Life for the charges of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 and Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. She faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of incarceration and a maximum sentence of life. We immediately began identifying information that we used to mitigate her exposure throughout the case. V.V. had a terrible childhood and she suffered from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. She was in a physical and mentally abusive relationship for many years which contributed to her commission of the offense. We negotiated a plea that would limit her time in jail and would dismiss one charge. We prepared a thorough sentencing memorandum outlining her cooperation, her mental health issues, her troubled childhood and her acceptance of responsibility. At sentencing, the judge agreed with us that a sentence of 10 years was excessive given her background and her limited role in the offense. Instead, the judge sentenced her to 5 years of probation.