Learn about different drug crimes in Stoughton, MA, as well as how to defend yourself against drug charges and why it’s a good idea to work with a Stoughton drug crimes attorney
Did you think the war on drugs was over? Think again. A whopping 44.9% of inmates are incarcerated as a result of drug offenses. This far exceeds any other category of offenses inmates committed.
With that in mind, it’s important to consider hiring a Stoughton drug crimes lawyer if you’ve recently been accused of a drug crime in Massachusetts. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your case won’t be taken seriously or that the penalties won’t be that severe.
A good drug crimes defense lawyer can help you understand your charges, the potential penalties associated with them, and your best possible defense strategy. Learn more about how our firm can help you navigate your drug charges below.
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Different Types of Drug Crimes and the Consequences of a Conviction
When you’ve been arrested for a drug crime, the first thing you need to know is what you’re being charged with. The exact charges you’re facing will play a major role in how much your bail is, what your potential penalties are, and how you can defend yourself. There are several different categories of drug offenses. Under federal law, you could get charged with:
- Possession
- Possession with the intent to sell
- Drug trafficking
- Drug manufacturing
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Below, we’ll describe each offense in more detail and give you an overview of the types of penalties to expect if you get convicted.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
The most basic and least severe drug charge you could face is possession of a controlled substance. Under federal law, it’s illegal to possess several types of substances, and the type of substances you’re caught with will play a huge role in the severity of your potential penalties. Your past criminal history will also impact the potential penalties you face.
In general, the penalty for possession is a misdemeanor in Massachusetts. That means you could face up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. Your charges could get upgraded, though, if you are in possession of heroin or fentanyl. These substances come with a first-time sentence of up to two years in a house of correction and fines of up to $2,000.
If you’re getting convicted of a drug-related crime for the second time, then you’ll face even more severe penalties, which could mean up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.
Possession of a Controlled Substance With the Intent to Sell
Another common type of drug charge is possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell. Officers might accuse you of this type of crime if you’re carrying a large amount of the substance, you also have a lot of cash, or you’re in possession of other incriminating items. Incriminating items could include things like a scale, zip-loc bags, or paraphernalia.
This drug crime comes with a hefty penalty of 2-10 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. If you’re facing a second-time offense, then you could get sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and face enormous fines of up to $25,000. Expect your penalties to get upgraded if you’re accused of this crime and you were near a school zone.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking is a similar crime as possession with the intent to sell, but it’s usually levied when authorities have reason to believe that the suspect is selling, importing, or transporting significant sums of the controlled substance. Drug trafficking could happen within one state, or it could happen across state lines. Drug trafficking is considered a very serious offense. A sentence could result in up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.
Manufacturing a Controlled Substance
Manufacturing a controlled substance means you were creating that substance. For instance, if you were cooking methamphetamine or making crack cocaine, then you could be charged with manufacturing a controlled substance. This criminal offense has the same penalties associated with it as drug trafficking.
How to Defend Yourself Against Drug Charges
Defending yourself against drug charges is no easy feat. First, you’ll need to consider how to plead at your initial hearing. In almost every case, it’s best to give an initial not guilty plea. This holds true even if you later want to change your mind and plead guilty.
Next, you’ll need to figure out a good defense strategy to use in court. To develop a defense strategy, you’ll need to know the potential defenses available to you, the facts surrounding your case, the evidence the police have against you, the circumstances of your arrest, your exact charges, and more. In most cases, it’s best to hire a Stoughton drug crimes lawyer to help with each of these steps.
Potential Defense Strategies to Consider
When you’ve been accused of a drug crime, it’s easy to feel like there’s no way to defend yourself. There are plenty of potential defense strategies to consider, though. Here are some of the most common defenses successfully used in court:
- Unlawful search and seizure
- Improper police stop
- Mistake of fact (the substance isn’t a controlled substance)
- Entrapment
- Medical marijuana exemption
- You were not in possession of the drugs or they belonged to someone else
Determining which defense strategy is best in your situation can be a real challenge. Not only will you have to consider the circumstances of your arrest, but you’ll also need to think about what evidence the prosecutors have against you. A good drug crimes defense lawyer can help you go through each of these important factors step-by-step to determine your best legal course of action moving forward.
Is Hiring a Stoughton Drug Crimes Attorney Really Necessary?
When you’re facing a drug crime, you might wonder if hiring a drug crime defense attorney is really necessary. You might think representing yourself is more cost-effective. While the final decision is ultimately yours, it’s a good idea to consider the potential consequences of becoming a convicted criminal. If you’re facing felony charges, then there’s no reason to gamble with your future and your life-long rights like owning a weapon and voting.
It’s always in your best interests to secure a lawyer.
If you genuinely cannot afford to hire your own lawyer, then don’t give up hope. Every accused individual has the right to have a drug crime defense attorney appointed to them if they request one.
Are You Ready to Hire a Stoughton Drug Crimes Lawyer?
Have you or a loved one been charged with a drug-related offense in Stoughton? While society’s perception of drugs has changed a lot over the past several decades, the law remains firm. Courtrooms will still take drug offenses very seriously. For that reason, it’s in your best interests to secure the best possible Stoughton drug crimes attorney to defend you throughout your case.
Are you currently searching for the best lawyer to help you face your drug charges? The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan has plenty of experience representing Stoughton residents who have been accused of various drug charges. We strive to offer our clients competitive rates, the best communication, and the highest-quality legal services that we can. Reach out to our firm now to discuss your drug charges in more detail with one of our lawyers.
