Anne Arundel County Drug Lawyer

Being accused of a drug offense in Maryland can be intimidating, with the lengthy list of potential charges and harsh penalties that accompany them. Maryland takes drug-related offenses very seriously, and if you are facing a drug charge, you can benefit from the help of one of our experienced criminal attorneys.

Common Drug Charges in Anne Arundel County

Drug charges in Maryland depend on the type and amount of controlled substance involved, whether the offense included a minor, and whether the offense was allegedly a part of a larger criminal enterprise or involved violence.

Common drug charges can include possessing, distributing, selling, manufacturing, and importing controlled substances, as well as using a weapon during a drug trafficking crime, using a minor to further a drug crime, or engaging in a drug offense near a school or other place where minors tend to congregate. Being classified as a “drug kingpin,” or a very high-volume drug dealer who handles large quantities of controlled substances, are also serious potential drug charges.

Regardless of what type of drug-related offense you are accused of, your Anne Arundel County drug attorney can assess the strength of the evidence against you, determine whether any defenses for your alleged conduct apply, and fight to have the charges reduced or dismissed.

Drug Offense Penalties in Maryland

Drug penalties in Anne Arundel can be quite severe, even for lower-level offenses. Penalties for a drug offense can range from up to four years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana, to up to twenty years in prison and $25,000 in fines for felony possession of a schedule 1 or 2 substance.

Prior drug-related convictions can bring about heightened penalties. If you have a previous drug charge, it is especially important to have an experienced Anne Arundel drug attorney by your side throughout the legal process. He or she will work to protect your rights and make sure you receive focused legal representation.

These enhanced and mandatory minimum penalties continue to increase with each subsequent drug-related conviction. For instance, a fourth felony offense involving a schedule 1 or 2 substance carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. In addition, using certain types of firearms during the commission of a drug offense can double the mandatory minimum penalties in Anne Arundel.

Marijuana Offenses

Although the possession of small amounts of marijuana has become decriminalized in Maryland, having more than 10 grams of the substance and can still result in significant penalties, which include up to one year in prison and up to $1000 in fines.

Consult an Experienced Anne Arundel County Drug Attorney

No matter what type of drug charges you are facing or how severe the penalties may be, working with an Anne Arundel Country drug lawyer is the first step you can take toward clearing your name and moving forward with your life.

Our talented legal professionals have experience fighting passionately on behalf of clients with prior drug-related convictions, and those who have never previously been charged with a drug offense.