Bethesda Drug Charges

When it comes to Bethesda drug charges, the severity with which law enforcement and the courts approach them depends on factors such as the type and amount of drugs in question, as well as the previous record of the accused. If you find yourself facing Bethesda drug charges, meet with a skilled attorney as soon as possible to begin building your defense.

Common Scenarios

Often, drug possession, distribution, or manufacturing charges arise when there is actual involvement in cases and where there is even the smallest bit of narcotics found. It does not necessarily have to be a huge amount. Anybody could be charged without any indication that it could be a bigger operation. That happens frequently.

It could either be college students with some extra marijuana from their rooms. It could be someone more involved full time. Anybody can be charged without any indication. Dealing in small quantities does not immunize someone from finding themselves on the receiving end of Bethesda drug charges.

People are found in the parks, with all of the video surveillance around them, and other people who are found with several pounds of marijuana at the time.

Distribution is the last of the most common scenarios when it comes to Bethesda drug charges. Anyone found to be distributing illegal substances will most certainly be charged.

Prescription Drug Offenses

There are also a number of prescription drug-related offenses with which a person can be charged. These include scenarios such as people caught with fake prescriptions, for instance, if they forged a doctor’s signature. That happens sometimes, and other times they are caught with possession of a prescription that is not theirs.

Sometimes, people underestimate the severity of what they are doing and are caught off guard by the charges. For instance, at school, students frequently share medication like Adderall. It is considered a party drug, but it is still a controlled substance. If the officer sees a person is caught with it, that is a crime. A person can be arrested and put in jail for that kind of thing.

If a college student just gives one away and does not sell it, that is still a felony distribution. Therefore, it is important to understand that what may sometimes seem like a very basic offense can, in fact, be considered a very serious problem.

Missing Prescription

Sometimes, someone is pulled over and, over the course of the stop, the officer asks to see their medical prescription. If a person has their prescription with them and presents it to the officer, they need not fear being arrested.

However, when they do not have the prescription on them, it usually depends on the context. If a person has one pill in a key-file, most officers will not arrest a person for that. Even if someone gets pulled over for a speeding violation and the officer sees a pill in a key-file next to that person, most officers would not arrest a person just by virtue of that. But if a person has a hundred pills in a bottle that is not a prescription bottle, that is something else entirely. It depends on the circumstances.

Since not everyone carries their prescriptions around with them at all times, there are cases where officers agree to not arrest a person on the condition that the individual presents their prescription at the precinct by a certain time.

Approach Of The Prosecution

With regard to the severity of the drug charge, if it is just possession, the type of drug means a lot and the previous record of the accused can make a big difference. If it is a felony charge, the same criteria apply.

The prosecution often tries to prove the charge by having witnesses testify. Most often, it is the officer testifying as to what they saw, what they observed, and things of that nature. There may be video surveillance or phone calls as well.

Common Charges

Possession and distribution are the two most common Bethesda drug charges to occur. Possession requires knowledge and the ability to exercise dominion and control. Possession with intent is possession but with the added effect that there was an amount that should indicate an intent to distribute or the circumstances that indicate distribution. Distribution and possession occur if a person conveyed, for transfer or sale, narcotics with the other person.

Constructive Possession

Constructive possession does not require a person to be in actual physical control of a substance and includes when a person knows where it is but has not taken action against it. It is the same as actual possession of knowledge and ability to exercise dominion and control.

How an Attorney Can Help Fight The Prosecution

Just as the prosecution gathers evidence and brings witnesses to the stand, the defense will do the same. An experienced lawyer will guide and advise you throughout the process, helping you make the best decision available each step of the way, working to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

One of the most common misconceptions about drug cases is that just because someone was not an addict does not mean they do not have a drug problem. This is another area where a skilled lawyer can be immensely helpful. By helping the defendant take the steps necessary to address the issue before the case goes before the judge, they can illustrate to the court that a more helping approach, rather than a punishing one, is the answer.