Prince George’s County Drug Possession Lawyer
While possession of drugs has the highest priority for law enforcement in PG County, there is more of an attitude of helping the individual and treating them. Courts may consider them addicts and not dealers. No matter the view of the authorities on the charge, a conviction could have long-lasting effects on a person’s personal and professional life. If you are facing possession allegations, consider speaking to a Prince George’s County drug possession lawyer. A well-versed attorney could champion your case.
Defining Drug Possession
Drug possession requires either actual or constructive control in PG County. Actual possession is when one has the drug in their hand, their pocket, or a backpack they are carrying. Constructive does not require one to be in physical control of the item. They could be at work 20 miles away from their home and they are in constructive possession of the shoes in their closet, of the food in their refrigerator, and of the TV in their living room.
Constructive control requires a person to know the drug is in said location. The knowledge and the person’s ability to exercise dominion is the key to this form of control. Knowledge requires that the person knows of the illicit nature of the substance itself. If an individual hands someone a package of flowers or makes a cake and did not know they contained a drug, they may not be in possession of it as required by the law to be convicted. One must have
How Possession Could be Charged
Typically, an individual is found to be possessing if the illicit drug is on their person and could be found in a vehicle they are driving. If there is a warrant executed, it could be found in their closet, in a shoe box, or on the table. The biggest factors in the seriousness of a drug possession charge are the amount somebody has, the type of substance, and the history of the individual.
Severity of Criminal Penalties
The maximum potential penalty for possessing illegal drugs in Prince George’s County is one year in jail or a $5,000 fine, or both.
A Conviction Could Impact a Person’s Life
A conviction for drug possession might lead to a defendant serving jail time and having a criminal record. They could also be put on probation with stringent requirements. Defendants could be placed in the public eye where a prospective employer may see their conviction. If the person applies for housing, a loan, or
Diversion Programs and Alternative Sentencing
Courts typically put a greater emphasis on probation than they may on diversion. A person might be found guilty or placed on probation. While they may not go to jail, they could be placed on a program of supervision to ensure that they are staying clean from drug use.
A Lawyer’s Knowledge of Controlled Dangerous Substances Could Help a Defendant
A drug possession attorney with an understanding of controlled dangerous substances in Prince George’s County may know that each drug denotes a certain type of use or abuse. A person abusing heroin could be treated very differently from a person abusing marijuana, alcohol, a designer narcotic, or a drug that is not chemically addictive and is psychologically addictive.
Factors and Evidence an Attorney May Consider
An attorney could speak to the individual charged and review the charging paperwork they have from the very outset. The accused may not be provided everything from the very beginning. This could include body camera footage, dash camera footage from the police vehicle, or chemical analysis reports from a lab for the narcotics. Video surveillance and photographs, and other supplemental reports may be provided. The necessary information could be be obtained and reviewed from the very outset by an attorney to see what the best approach for a defendant may be.
Contact an Experienced Drug Possession Lawyer Immediately
It is important for a person to contact an experienced drug-possession lawyer early on in a case. Only a seasoned attorney may know what steps need to be taken from the very outset when defending a case and in mitigating the charges. A person’s legal counsel could put the person in a better position to get a court result that is appropriate. Call a Prince George’s County drug possession lawyer today to get started on your defense.
