Rockville Drug Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug crime, it would be wise to contact a Rockville drug lawyer as soon as possible. The state of Maryland takes drug charges very seriously, and if you have been convicted of a drug crime before, you may be facing even stricter penalties. A drug conviction can have a negative impact on your life, so you must act fast.

While there are numerous types of drug charges, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to negotiate plea arrangements or help you avoid minimum prison sentences. Given that drug laws are meant to punish individuals and prevent them from using or selling drugs in the future, they are often extremely harsh.

Without a skilled attorney on your side, your chances of ending up in prison may be much greater.

Marijuana Charges

While marijuana is now legal in states such as Colorado and California, it remains illegal in Maryland. A conviction for possessing or selling marijuana can result in jail time, fines, community service, or probation, depending on the case. Typically, the time faced by marijuana offenders will depend on the amount of marijuana they had on their persons at the time of their arrest.

If a person is found in possession of fewer than ten grams of marijuana, they can face a civil penalty of $100 to $500. Individuals who are found in possession of ten or more grams of marijuana can face a fine of up to $1,000 and a year in jail. If a person is believed to have obtained marijuana through fraud, they may face a mandatory sentence of $1,000 and a year in jail. While marijuana crimes may not be as severely tried in Maryland, a conviction could still have a long-lasting impact on a person’s life. A well-practiced attorney could explain how a drug charge may impact their future and could also help them understand what rights they have available when fighting drug allegations.

Selling and Distributing Drugs

Marijuana charges are considerably less serious than charges involving other types of drugs. The severity of these charges is greater when a person is accused of selling, distributing, or manufacturing drugs and individuals convicted of distributing or selling the following quantities of drugs across state lines may face up to a $50,000 fine and 25 years in prison:

  • 45 kilograms or more of marijuana
  • 28 grams or more of methamphetamine
  • 1,000 dosage units or more of LSD
  • 28 grams or more of cocaine or a cocaine derivative
  • 4 or more grams of opium or morphine

While it will not result in 25 years in jail, it is also illegal to possess prescription drugs without a valid prescription. Anyone charged with distributing or selling drugs should call a drug attorney in Rockville.

Drug Paraphernalia

It is also illegal to possess drug paraphernalia in the state of Maryland. While certain types of paraphernalia, such as pipes, syringes, and bongs are not illegal, the owner may be arrested if law enforcement has reason to believe they are being used for drug consumption. During investigations, law enforcement agents will attempt to look for the residue of illegal drugs on the paraphernalia.

Anyone convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia for the first time may likely face misdemeanor charges and a fine of up to $500. A second conviction could result in a fine of up to $2,000 and two years in prison. While a conviction for distributing drug paraphernalia is a misdemeanor, it might result in a fine of up to $15,000 and eight years in prison. Given the harsh nature of penalties for drug paraphernalia charges, defendants may benefit from working with a skilled Rockville drug lawyer to build a defense case.

Consult with a Rockville Drug Attorney

If you are currently facing drug charges, it is normal to be nervous and confused. Understanding the charges you are facing can be difficult, and if you convicted, you could lose everything. If this is your second or third time being charged with a crime, your loss can be even greater.

Fortunately, it may be possible for an attorney to get your charges reduced or completely dropped. Contact a Rockville drug lawyer now to discuss your case.