Howard County Drug Paraphernalia Lawyer
Howard County defines drug paraphernalia as any object or material that is utilized with a controlled dangerous substance. Someone that attains a drug paraphernalia charge will need an experienced Howard County drug lawyer by their side to walk them through the legal process. The penalties for a drug charge can vary based on the item(s) confiscated by law enforcement, however, an experienced Howard County drug paraphernalia attorney who is familiar with paraphernalia cases will have the background necessary to defend their client and present any mitigating factors that will lessen any harsh penalties.
Types of Paraphernalia
Items included within the realm of drug paraphernalia range from ordinary household items to special objects that are made solely for drug use. These items include, but are not limited to:
- Bowls
- Bongs
- Needles
- Straws
- Rolling Papers
- Sandwich Bags
Police officers will generally be who discovers paraphernalia, and this takes place either during an arrest or during a search or seizure of an item, object or place. In certain instances, law enforcement officers will deal with ‘plain view’ cases, in which an individual has a prohibited item out in the open. When a search occurs or an individual is placed under arrest a Howard County drug paraphernalia attorney should be consulted to ensure that the individual’s rights have not been violated and that they do not do or say anything that could end up hurting their defense later on.
Penalties
Penalties of a paraphernalia charges depend on the item(s) that were discovered by law enforcement officers. Typically speaking, marijuana paraphernalia or things of that nature will lead to a simple payable citation; marijuana has been decriminalized so it isn’t a major issue or concern. When dealing with items such as a hypodermic needle or something of that nature, however, it’s treated differently particularly because there is oftentimes drug residue with objects used to inject narcotics. Therefore if found with something such as a needle an individual should immediately get in touch with a Howard County drug paraphernalia lawyer.
Treatment of Paraphernalia Charges
No substance is viewed the same in the eyes of a judge and the public. If someone is caught with a few small bags of marijuana in their motor vehicle or on their person, a judge will not react as strongly as they would in comparison to a situation where someone was found in possession of a few dirty, used needles in their motor vehicle or on their person. The first scenario deals with marijuana, which itself has been decriminalized in small amounts; the other deals with a much more serious drug with addictive qualities and is prohibited entirely.
Benefits of an Attorney in Howard County
Individuals who have been charged with the possession of drug paraphernalia have the right to attain the legal services of an attorney, and police officers are required to express that right. He or she will need legal guidance during the process of defending their case, and a Howard County drug paraphernalia lawyer can offer that to their client. They are capable of building a defense and will be able to explore every option and/or challenge that presents itself during a trial.