A conviction for any drug offense can change your life and hurt your future prospects. You could face steep monetary fines in addition to the threat of incarceration. Understanding the types of drug charges in Gilbert is crucial to building a defense tailored to the specific allegations.
A skilled attorney can help fight back against drug charges, no matter the specific offense. The right legal counsel can help you build a winning defense strategy and protect your best interests. Reach out to Grand Canyon Law Group to get started.
The most common drug-related offense involves possessing a controlled substance. This includes possessing unlawful narcotics but can also apply to possessing medication without a prescription. Possession charges can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the type and amount of the substance in question.
A more serious form of this charge is possession with intent to distribute. The basics of this offense are the same—a person is found in possession of a controlled substance. However, allegations that they possessed the drugs and intended to sell them can come with additional penalties.
The law presumes intent to sell in certain situations, such as if the person was found in possession of a substance over the threshold amount. An experienced Gilbert attorney can explain the amounts for different types of drugs and help build a defense against the charge.
Manufacturing or cultivating controlled substances is also against the law. The process for manufacturing drugs varies depending on the substance. For example, some drugs involve complex chemical reactions, while marijuana involves cultivating a plant.
The penalties associated with drug manufacturing depend on the drug in question. The penalties for these types of drug charges are higher than for standard possession, as our seasoned lawyers in Gilbert can explain.
Drug trafficking charges are serious criminal offenses. This offense involves more than simply possessing a controlled substance for personal use. Drug trafficking is a criminal charge for importing, transporting, or selling narcotics.
There are two elements to this offense, which state prosecutors must prove to secure a trafficking conviction. First, the state must show that a person transported for sale, sold, or imported narcotics in the state. Second, there must be evidence that they did so knowingly.
In recent years, Arizona legalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana for private use. There are still limitations in place, however. A person must be at least 21 to legally possess marijuana. Even then, the law limits a person to less than one ounce in their possession. They may also grow up to six plants for non-commercial purposes.
For those under 21, possessing small amounts of marijuana is a civil offense punishable by up to $100 in fines. Possessing larger amounts of marijuana could carry much steeper penalties. No matter what type of drug offense a person faces, representation from a skilled attorney at our firm is essential to securing a positive outcome.
Drug charges can come with wide-ranging consequences. However, you will only face those consequences if you are convicted. With the right defense strategy, you could walk away without a conviction and protect your way of life.
Discuss the different types of drug charges in Gilbert with a lawyer who can tailor a defense strategy to the circumstances. At Grand Canyon Law Group, our former prosecutors are now dedicated defense attorneys who know how to fight for your rights. Call us today to review your case.