The community of Bridgewater has made a lot of progress when it comes to combating the negative impact of drugs and addiction. In 2020, Bridgewater State University accepted $1.3 million in funding with the goal of reducing opioid overdose deaths in the community by 40% by 2023. It’s unclear how well the study is going so far, but the pandemic hasn’t made things any easier.
Drug crimes and arrests continue to occur throughout Massachusetts at an alarming rate.
If you were recently arrested for a drug crime in Bridgewater, then it’s in your best interests to secure a drug crime defense attorney. A quality Bridgewater drug crimes lawyer will prove invaluable as you navigate your charges, the potential penalties, and your court case. Learn more about how our firm can help you face your drug charges below.
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How a Bridgewater Drug Crimes Lawyer Can Help You
If you got arrested for a drug crime, then you’re under no obligation to hire a legal representative. It is, however, in your best interests to do so. Is money an issue for you? Don’t let it be what hold you back! If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, then you have the Constitutional right to have one appointed to you free of charge. If you cannot afford an attorney, then it’s advised that you utilize this right.
Why?
A good lawyer will help you get a better understanding of what you’re getting charged with. Your lawyer will go over the details of your charges with you, and they’ll make sure that you understand the severity of your charges. Your lawyer should discuss the potential penalties of your charges in great detail with you. This shouldn’t only include the criminal consequences you could face but also the life-long repercussions of having a criminal record.
Once you’re better informed, you’ll want to know how to defend yourself. Once again, your lawyer will help inform you about the different legal defenses available to you in your situation. From there, they’ll go over the details of your arrest, get more information about the evidence against you, and help you make an informed choice on the best way to defend yourself.
Your lawyer’s work doesn’t end there, though. They’ll also work hard to secure evidence that proves your innocence. They’ll work with you and give you solid legal advice that could potentially help you reduce your penalties by showing the courts that you’re remorseful or working on correcting the problematic drug use.
What’s more, your lawyer will be with you every step of the way. The best lawyers will treat your case as if it were their own freedom that they’re fighting for, but they also won’t give you false hope if they know the deck is stacked against you.
Learning More About Your Drug Charges
Before you hire a lawyer, you might want to get more details about your specific drug charges. After all, if your penalties will only be a slap on the wrist, then you might make the decision to simply accept the consequences of your arrest and move on with your life. If your potential penalties are life-altering, though, then you do not want to leave your freedom up to chance.
Learn more about the various drug charges in Massachusetts and what it could mean for your future if you get convicted of one.
What is a Controlled Substance Under the Law?
First of all, the severity of your penalties will depend on the type of controlled substance you’re accused of carrying with you. Under the federal Controlled Substance Act, drugs are classified into several categories, which seek to differentiate drugs based on their addictiveness, medical value, danger level, and more. Here are the different levels of controlled substances under Massachusetts law:
- Class A: Heroin, GHB, Morphine, Ketamine, and other “designer” drugs
- Class B: Cocaine, Ecstasy, Amphetamines, LSD, PCP, Methamphetamines, and prescription drugs like Oxycodone
- Class C: Prescription narcotics, prescription tranquilizers, mescaline, mushroom, and other hallucinogenic
- Class D: Marijuana and Phenobarbital
- Class E: Prescription pills with weak amounts of Codeine, Morphine, or Opiates
By law, all these substances are highly controlled, so it’s usually a crime to even possess them. Learn more about the various charges you could face based on these substances below.
Types of Drug Crimes in Massachusetts
Depending on the circumstances of your arrest and the details of your alleged crime, you could face the following types of drug crimes in Massachusetts:
- Possession
- Possession with the intent to sell
- Manufacturing
- Drug trafficking
- Distribution
The exact charges you face hinge on the amount of substance you’re carrying and the circumstantial evidence police discover at the scene.
How Your Prior Criminal Record Plays a Role in Your Charges
The type of substance you’re caught with and the circumstances surrounding your arrest aren’t the only factors that will play a role in how severely you’re penalized. If you’ve been convicted of a drug crime in the past, then a second drug charge will carry heavier penalties.
Aggravating Factors
There are also certain aggravating factors that could increase your potential penalties. For instance, if you’re in possession of a small amount of marijuana and a weapon, then your charges will get increased. If you have marijuana and large sums of money, then police might assume you’ve sold some of the drugs to get the cash. If you have marijuana and that marijuana is sealed up in twenty individual bags with scales, then police might assume you’re distributing the drug throughout town.
Defending Yourself Against Drug Charges
The first step in defending yourself should be hiring a Bridgewater drug crimes attorney. The right attorney will help you figure out exactly what you’re being charged with and what defense strategies are available to you. In the best situations, your lawyer can help you secure evidence to prove your innocence. This will lead to the Prosecution dropping your charges altogether.
If that’s not possible, then your drug crimes defense lawyer will work hard to determine what other defenses are available in your situation. If the Prosecutor’s evidence and case are very strong, then your lawyer might advise you to consider a plea deal arrangement.
Are You Ready to Hire a Bridgewater Drug Crimes Attorney?
When you’ve been accused of a drug crime, a drug crime defense attorney is your best resource. A good lawyer will help you better understand the charges you’re facing, the circumstances surrounding your arrest, the evidence that the other side has against you, and how to defend yourself. If your case proceeds to trial, then your lawyer should be prepared to fight for you and represent you in court.
Finding the right drug crimes defense lawyer is easier said than done, though. The good news is that if you’ve landed on this page, then the hard work has already been done for you! Our firm prides itself on representing Bridgewater residents and helping them secure the best possible legal outcome in their situations. If you’re looking to hire an attorney, then we want to hear from you.
Reach out to our The Law Office of Gerald J. Noonan now to discuss your drug charges in more detail with one of our experts.
