3 Tips When Dealing With Drug Charges

Every drug charge is different, therefore it is not recommended to compare your situation with others. There are many factors that go into the final verdict of each case. These 3 tips when dealing with drug charges will help improve your position in the legal proceedings to come.

1. Get a Lawyer ASAP

It is vital to understand your legal rights. If you want a favorable result, it is very important to seek help immediately. An attorney can help you understand your situation, realize your options and begin to construct a plan of action.

2. Know the Possible Charges

There are a variety of charges associated with drugs. Each one includes different proceedings and requires different responses. Here are some examples.

Drug possession

When a person is caught with any type of illegal controlled substance like methamphetamine, prescription drugs or heroin, they will likely face serious drug possession charges. The penalties can vary depending on the type and amount of drugs, and if there is any prior criminal history.

Possession with intent to sell or deliver

Possession with intent to sell or deliver is a more enhanced charge than possession, and occurs if law enforcement deems that the person caught was planning to sell the drugs. This can result when large amounts of cash or drug items such as scales or baggies are present when an individual is caught. The fact is that adding “intent to sell or deliver” is quite subjective and can greatly depend on the interpretations of police or prosecutors. In any case, being convicted of this serious drug crime can lead to devastating consequences like incarceration, severe fines and other harsh penalties that can affect your future for years to come.

Cultivation

Being charged with drug cultivation in North Carolina can lead to severe penalties. Cultivation can include growing or producing marijuana plants and psilocybin mushrooms or the production of unlawful controlled substances like LSD (acid) or methamphetamine (meth). If a person is caught possessing elements used to produce illegal substances, and no drugs are found, it is likely that they will still face charges.

Distribution

Drug distribution is a broad term used to describe the delivery, sales, trafficking or illegal importation into the United States of unlawful controlled substances such as cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, prescription drugs or marijuana. Some of the most common charges related to distribution are for selling illegal drugs and for knowingly moving them from place to place. When a person is facing allegations for distribution, it is considered both a state and federal crime. Both can lead to severe and devastating penalties if convicted.

Manufacturing

Drug manufacturing charges can vary depending on the type of drug being produced and the amount, as well as any prior criminal charges or convictions. Charges can also include possessing the materials needed to make unlawful controlled substances or for cultivation purposes.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug crimes can involve a variety of offenses such as forging prescriptions, doctor shopping, pharmacy theft and unlawfully prescribing medications. Being charged with illegal possession or conducting sales of prescription drugs can lead to severe penalties for those who are convicted.

Prescription Fraud

Prescription fraud often boils down to one basic problem: individuals that are dependent or addicted may take illegal measures to obtain drugs. Many individuals arrested for prescription fraud are simply good people who became victims of the highly addictive drugs they were prescribed after suffering an illness or painful injury. Prescription fraud includes, doctor shopping to obtain multiple prescriptions from multiple doctors, altering prescriptions, forging prescriptions and obtaining prescriptions by portraying oneself as a physician.

Transportation

When law enforcement catches a person transporting any amount of unlawful controlled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin or illegally obtained prescription drugs, that person will likely face drug transportation charges. This is a serious crime that can lead to harsh and devastating penalties.

3. Know the Possible Consequences

Drug possession

• Jail or prison sentence
• Substantial fines
• Property or asset seizure
• Court ordered substance abuse treatment program or classes
• Misdemeanor or felony on your public legal record

Possession with intent to sell or deliver

• Incarceration
• Severe fines
• Other harsh penalties

Cultivation

The penalties that are imposed for drug cultivation crimes can vary, depending on what substance a person is producing and the amount. In North Carolina, law enforcement is allowed to seize the assets of individuals believed to have bought property with drug proceeds and assets used for the production of illegal drugs.

Other consequences can include:

• Incarceration
• Fines
• Probation
• Community service
• Felony or misdemeanor charges and conviction on your public legal record, accessible to anyone who conducts a background check.

Sales & Distribution

• Time in jail or prison
• Substantial fines
• Probation
• Mandatory substance abuse treatment program or classes
• Property and asset seizure
• Misdemeanor or felony charges and conviction on your public legal record, which can severely hinder your ability to find and maintain employment, housing options, academic and other future opportunities.

Manufacturing

• Decades or life in prison
• Thousands of dollars in fines
• Asset seizure
• Arrest, charges and conviction on your public legal record, which can be accessed by means of a simple background check

Trafficking

• Mandatory prison sentence
• Property or asset seizure
• Thousands of dollars in fines
• Marks on your legal public record

Prescription Drugs

• Incarceration
• Heavy fines
• Probation
• Court ordered substance abuse treatment program or classes

Prescription Fraud

• Unfortunately, no matter the circumstances of the offense, prosecutors will seek convictions and pursue the harshest possible consequences against anyone who is accused of a prescription drug crime.
• The Robinson Law Firm understands that criminal charges can be devastating to an individual’s personal and family life. We vow to zealously advocate your interests and believe that our success is truly based on our performance and we aim to win every case possible. We will carefully examine all of the evidence and facts surrounding your case and will create a defense that relentlessly holds the state accountable in proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Our goal is to avoid or minimize the penalties you are facing and achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Our firm has committed over 30 years to protect the rights and assets of those charged with drug crimes and have a proven track record of success. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of representation to your case and will aggressively fight for you.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Categories: Blog, Drug Crimes