Pikesville, MD Lawyers Defending Individuals Charged With Drug Crimes
The State of Maryland does not look favorably on any type of drug crime. If you are convicted of possession or an even more serious charge of distribution of drugs, you could potentially face extremely harsh penalties, including jail or prison time and/or steep fines.
If you have been charged with a crime related to drugs, you need a criminal defense lawyer who will aggressively represent you in order to protect your future. A drug conviction, especially a felony drug charge, can stay on your criminal record forever. This could prevent you from obtaining loans, entering college, receiving financial aid, applying for government assistance, or gaining certain forms of employment.
Call the Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. by calling (410) 484-0400 and scheduling an appointment to speak with a member of our legal team. Our criminal defense attorneys can review your case and determine how to best represent you going forward.
Do First-Time Drug Offenders Go to Jail in Maryland?
Generally, most drug offenders are not sentenced to jail or prison time for a first-time drug offense. Often, several factors are considered when charging individuals, such as criminal history. However, this can be largely dependent on what type of drug that you were caught with and what quantity you were in possession of at the time of your arrest.
For example, if you are caught with a small amount of ecstasy, you most likely will be fined and perhaps even given probation. However, even if it is your first time ever being arrested for drugs, if the amount of ecstasy that you possessed was over a certain weight, you can be charged with intent to distribute. This is true even if you only intended it for your own personal use. A conviction of this nature could cause you to go to prison for a significant number of years, and you could also be slapped with a steep fine of up to $100,000.
Prosecutors do not want to be seen as soft on drug crimes, so they will often work hard to prosecute drug offenders no matter what type of drug crime they have committed. You need the experience of a qualified drug crimes attorney who can work forcefully to defend you and your future.
Is Possession a Felony in Maryland?
Any individual who is found to be in possession of a drug other than marijuana faces a felony charge in Maryland. Furthermore, if you are convicted of drug possession, you can be facing a prison sentence of four years and a fine of up to $25,000. Typically, the maximum sentence for drug possession applies to cases that involve ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, and meth.
Do not let anyone else tell you that a drug possession charge is not a big deal. It has potential long-term consequences that could alter your entire life and will stay on your criminal record. If you have been charged with drug possession, even marijuana, contact a drug crimes lawyer as soon as possible. Do not trust your future to the unknown. Contact our offices and schedule a free case review as soon as possible.
How Serious is Possession With Intent to Distribute?
This is a very serious drug charge in Maryland. If you have been caught with a large quantity of what is deemed to be a dangerous controlled substance, this can be considered evidence of your intent to distribute that particular drug. Proving intent to distribute is based on the individual circumstances and factors that surround the case.
Additionally, if you were apprehended with what is known as paraphernalia that relates to selling drugs, such as scales, ledgers, plastic sandwich bags, or large amounts of cash, this could be used in court as evidence against you.
If you have been arrested and charged with intent to distribute, you need a qualified drug crimes lawyer to defend your rights and explore all legal options that are available to you. We will work to reach an outcome that is fully favorable to you. Call the Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. by calling (410) 484-0400 and scheduling an appointment to speak with a member of our legal team as soon as possible. We look forward to assisting you through this difficult time in your life.