Montgomery County Drug Lawyer
If you are facing allegations involving the illegal possession or distribution of drugs, it is understandable to be frightened and confused. Many people face addictions to drugs that leave them vulnerable to police actions. Still others are caught up in drug activity despite never using themselves.
No matter the circumstances behind the arrest, the penalties for a drug-related conviction in Montgomery County can be harsh. Merely having a street drug in one’s possession or a prescription medication without a doctor’s note can land a person in jail. More serious allegations of distribution are felonies where convictions are likely to result in multiple years in prison.
A Montgomery County drug lawyer could help to defend your rights when facing any type of drug charge in Montgomery County. Hard-working criminal attorneys may be able to work to explain the relevant laws to you, to hear your side of the story, and to create a defense plan that is designed to defeat the prosecutor’s case in court.
Charges Involving Illegal Possession
Certain items are contraband under state law. A prime example of these is street drugs. Heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and other similar drugs are per se illegal. As an experienced attorney could explain, the police can immediately make an arrest if they catch an individual with these items.
Other items are legal to hold only if a person has express permission. Prescription drugs fall into this category. It is highly advisable for people taking prescription drugs to carry their doctor’s note or pharmacy bottle with them at all times. A person caught without this note faces the same charges as a person caught with a street drug.
As stated by the Maryland Criminal Law Code Ann. §5-601, illegal drug possession is a misdemeanor level offense. This means that a conviction can result in up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. It is essential that people facing these allegations present a powerful defense in court.
It is not a defense to argue that the drugs were merely for personal use. Police finding even a trace amount of illegal substance can make an arrest. One common tactic used by drug lawyers in Montgomery County is to argue that the police did not have the right to perform their search. Evidentiary motions filed in court may be effective to exclude this evidence.
Defending Against Allegations of Distribution
If the county’s laws are harsh when dealing with drug users, they are doubly so for alleged drug dealers. Md. Criminal Law Code Ann. §5-602 says that it is illegal to distribute any street drug or prescription medication without a license. It does not matter is a defendant does this for profit or not.
A conviction for distribution of drugs is always a felony and is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison. It should be noted that aggravating factors, which includes the drug in question being a narcotic, can bring enhanced penalties. The most severe allegations of drug distribution can result in prison sentences of up to 40 years.
Similar to allegations involving illegal drug possession, a Montgomery County attorney could examine the strength of a prosecutor’s drug case to develop a strategy designed to meet a person’s goals.
Talk to a Montgomery County Drug Attorney
Allegations involving the illegal possession or distribution of controlled substances are among the most common in Montgomery County’s criminal courts. Even trace amounts of illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine, or fentanyl can land a person in jail upon conviction. People accused of distributing these items face felony level convictions that are likely to result in prison sentences.
A Montgomery County drug lawyer could work for you to protect your freedom and to fight for realistic goals. For people accused of possession, this may involve a period of probation while attending substance abuse counseling. For others, this could involve arguing points of evidence and presenting defenses to juries. No matter your goals, a Montgomery County drug lawyer may be able to help. Call an attorney today to learn more.
