Were you or a family member recently arrested on drug charges in Anne Arundel County, Maryland? Your choice of legal representation can make a huge difference. Call an experienced Anne Arundel County drug crimes lawyer at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys at (301) 262-7005 to schedule a free consultation today.
Drug charges can carry serious consequences, including jail time and a permanent criminal record that affects your future. Having experienced legal guidance early can make a meaningful difference in how your case moves forward and how your rights are protected at every stage.
Why Choose Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys for Help if You Are Arrested for a Drug Crime in Anne Arundel County
When you’re being accused of a crime, it often feels like no one is on your side. It’s important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can level the playing field and protect you. That’s where Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys comes in.
Clients in Anne Arundel County, MD, choose us because:
- Our attorneys have over 125 years of combined experience in criminal defense law. We’ve helped countless clients successfully fight to clear their names over the years.
- We have been recognized with over 400 five-star Google ratings.
- Our team includes former prosecutors. This means we know the law inside and out–and we have the skills necessary to build the strongest possible defense.
It’s never too early to start building your case. Call our Ann Arundel County criminal defense attorneys today for your free consultation.
Overview of the Laws on Drug Crimes in Anne Arundel, Maryland
Maryland has adopted several different statutes when it comes to drug crimes. If you’re arrested for something drug-related, the severity of the charges can vary significantly.
Factors Affecting How Drug Crimes Are Charged
Generally, the nature of the drug charge will depend on:
- The specific drug that was involved
- The weight or amount of the drugs
- Your prior criminal history, including a history of convictions for drug crimes
- The evidence involved and the general circumstances
Regardless of the charge involved, it’s important to hire an experienced Anne Arundel County drug crimes attorney. Drug charges can carry harsh penalties. Even a conviction on relatively minor charges can change your life in unexpected ways.
If you’ve been charged with a drug crime, call our team at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys today. We offer a free and confidential consultation.
Understanding the Five Schedules of Controlled Substances in Maryland
Maryland drug laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to how controlled substances are classified. Under state law, drugs are divided into five schedules based on their potential for abuse, associated dangers, and any accepted medical use, generally following the federal system.
Schedule I drugs are considered the most dangerous and have no recognized medical value. Examples include heroin, LSD, and MDMA. Schedule II substances may have limited medical use but still carry a high risk of abuse, such as oxycodone and cocaine.
Schedule V drugs fall at the lowest level and have a much lower potential for abuse, including certain cough medications containing codeine.
We Handle All Types of Drug Crimes Cases in Anne Arundel County, MD
At Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys, we handle all types of drug crime cases in Anne Arundel County, including cases where a defendant has been charged with:
- Drug possession
- Drug possession with the intent to distribute
- Marijuana possession
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Drug trafficking
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Distribution of a controlled substance
- Drug manufacturing
- Juvenile drug crimes
Each criminal offense has its own definition. The prosecution’s burden of proof will vary depending on the precise offense that is involved.
Drug Possession in Maryland
Under Maryland law, it’s illegal to possess or give to another a controlled dangerous substance unless one of the following is true:
- The drug was obtained with a valid prescription from an authorized provider acting in the course of their professional practice, or
- The drug was cannabis, the possessor was at least 21, and the amount possessed is the “personal use amount” (up to 1.5 ounces)
Obtaining or attempting to obtain a drug by forgery or false pretenses is also illegal under the general drug possession law. Obtaining drugs by falsifying a prescription, using a fake name, or failing to disclose a material fact can result in drug possession charges.
To convict, the prosecution will have to prove that you knowingly possessed the controlled substance without a legitimate prescription.
Drug Possession With Intent To Distribute in Maryland
Drug possession with the intent to distribute becomes a more serious offense under Maryland law.
You can be convicted for:
- Actually distributing a controlled dangerous substance
- Possessing enough of a controlled dangerous substance so that it can reasonably be assumed you intended to distribute the drugs
The severity of the crime will depend heavily on the type of drug involved and the amount you were found with.
What Are the Penalties for Drug Crime Convictions in Anne Arundel County, Maryland?
Penalties for a drug crime conviction can vary significantly. Drug crimes can be felonies or misdemeanors in Maryland.
The following broad categories of penalties may be on the table:
- Jail time or a prison sentence
- Monetary penalties
- A lasting criminal record
- Probation or parole
- Court-ordered drug abuse treatment
Your choice of lawyer can make a world of difference in the types of penalties that may apply. Having an experienced lawyer is the best way to minimize the impact of a criminal charge.
The sooner your lawyer starts working on your defense strategy, the better.
Penalties for Drug Possession
If you’re convicted on drug possession charges (excluding marijuana possession), the following penalties may apply:
- Up to one year in jail
- Up to 18 months in prison
- Up to two years in prison
You’ll also face up to $5,000 in financial penalties if you’re convicted of drug possession charges.
Penalties for Marijuana Possession
Recreational marijuana is treated differently in Maryland. Possession of the personal use amount is legal, as long as you’re at least 21 years of age. It’s also legal to share marijuana with another adult who is at least 21–as long as nothing of value is exchanged.
Marijuana possession with intent to distribute is a more serious offense. Possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute is a felony, carrying up to five years in prison.
Penalties for Drug Possession With Intent To Distribute
Penalties for possession with intent to distribute, again, depend on the nature of the drug.
If you’re charged with intent to distribute a Schedule I or Schedule II drug, you could face:
- Up to 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine for a first offense
- Up to 25 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for a second conviction
- Up to 40 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for a third or subsequent conviction
Courts can impose an additional ten-year prison sentence if the drug involved is heroin or fentanyl.
Obviously, law enforcement officers in Maryland take drug charges seriously. If you were charged with drug distribution, hiring an experienced attorney is critical to your future. Our lawyers in Anne Arundel County have decades of experience handling cases like yours.
We have the skills to protect you if you’ve been charged with a crime. Contact us today to start building your defense.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of a Drug Crime in Anne Arundel County?
A strong defense will be critical to your future. Remember that a charge does not automatically mean the prosecution has sufficient evidence to convict. Many different defense strategies may be relevant to your case. Once our attorneys evaluate the facts, we’ll be ready to evaluate the defense options and develop a custom-tailored strategy.
Your defense may include:
- Challenges to the classification of the substance in your possession
- The evidence was obtained in an illegal search and seizure
- Police lacked probable cause for a search or a traffic stop
- You had a valid prescription
- You did not have the required intent to distribute the drugs
- You did not know the drugs were present
- The chain of evidence in your case was broken
- The allegations against you were false
- Constitutional violations, including Miranda violations and violations of your right to an attorney
If you were arrested on drug charges, don’t wait to get the legal advice you deserve. Contact our attorneys today to learn how we can fight to protect your future.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Anne Arundel County Drug Crimes Lawyer
If you’re facing drug charges in Ann Arundel County, Maryland, reach out to Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys for a free consultation today. An experienced Ann Arundel County drug crimes lawyer is available to discuss your legal options.