Drug crime charges in Montgomery County have the potential to derail your entire life, but a good criminal defense attorney won’t let them. If you have been charged with a drug crime, contact Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys today at (301) 364-3195 to learn how we can help.
We’ll investigate your case, evaluate any possible defenses, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Call, contact us online, or stop by our office to schedule a free consultation with a Montgomery County drug crimes lawyer.
Why Choose Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys To Help Me if I’ve Been Accused of a Drug Crime in Montgomery County?
If you’re facing drug charges, you’ll want to work with an experienced, capable team that can guide you through each step of the process. At Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys, we know what it takes to win.
Here’s why you should choose our team if you’ve been charged with a drug crime in Montgomery County, MD:
- We have over 125 years of combined legal experience dedicated to criminal defense.
- Our firm is home to Maryland’s only board-certified DUI defense attorney, Andrew Alpert.
- We have former prosecutors on our team who understand how the state builds its case.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us today to schedule a complimentary initial consultation to discuss your case with a Montgomery County criminal defense attorney.
Overview of Drug Crimes in Maryland
Every defendant’s situation is different. That’s why we’ll take the time to listen to your story and investigate the circumstances surrounding your case thoroughly, no matter what charges you are facing.
Some drug crimes we commonly handle for clients include:
- Drug possession: It is illegal to possess or administer a controlled, dangerous substance without a prescription in Maryland. This includes drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, and prescription medications not lawfully obtained.
- Cannabis possession and use: While Maryland permits adults 21 and older to possess a limited “personal use” amount of cannabis, exceeding that limit or using cannabis in public is still punishable by civil or criminal penalties.
- Possession with intent to distribute: Possessing a controlled, dangerous substance in an amount or under circumstances suggesting an intent to distribute is a felony offense in Maryland.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia: It is a misdemeanor to possess items used to grow, manufacture, store, or consume illegal drugs, such as syringes, pipes, or digital scales.
- Drug trafficking: Drug trafficking involves the large-scale distribution, manufacture, or importation of controlled substances.
To learn more about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced team.
What Are the Penalties for Drug Crimes in Montgomery County, Maryland?
Penalties for Maryland drug crimes depend on the severity of the crime and whether or not you have previous offenses. Most commonly, you could be facing fines and jail time, as follows:
- Drug possession: Possession of any controlled substance besides marijuana is a misdemeanor. Penalties depend on the type and quantity of the drug and the offender’s record, with first-time convictions punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
- Cannabis possession and use: First-time public use may result in a $50 fine, while possession with intent to distribute can lead to up to three years of incarceration and a $5,000 fine.
- Possession with intent to distribute: Penalties vary by drug type, with up to 20 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for Schedule I or II narcotics. Higher sentences apply to repeat offenders and those found with large drug quantities.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia: A first offense can result in up to one year in jail and a $500 fine, while a subsequent offense carries penalties of up to two years and a $2,000 fine. Harsher penalties apply if paraphernalia is distributed to minors.
- Drug trafficking: Maryland law imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences starting at five years and fines up to $100,000 for major quantities. Those convicted as “drug kingpins” face 20 to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million.
Drug crime penalties in Montgomery County, Maryland, are serious and can have lasting consequences.
Collateral Consequences
While fines and jail time are commonly expected, you may also be facing collateral consequences when you are charged with a drug crime, such as:
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Difficulties finding employment
- Difficulties finding housing
- Loss of professional licenses
- Immigration issues
- Child custody or visitation issues
- Reputation damage
- Loss of firearms rights
An experienced criminal defense attorney from our team can explain your charges and any potential penalties. We’ll fight to protect your future and get your charges reduced or even dropped.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of Drug Crimes?
An experienced drug crime defense attorney will carefully assess the facts of your case to determine the most effective legal defenses. Some possible defenses to drug crimes include:
- Illegal search or seizure: If law enforcement finds drugs during an unlawful search or without a valid warrant, the evidence may not be usable by the prosecution.
- Lack of possession or control: It could be argued that you did not have actual possession or control of the drugs in question.
- Prescription or medical necessity: If the drugs were legally prescribed to you or used for a valid medical purpose, this may serve as a defense to certain charges.
- Lack of intent to distribute: If you are charged with possession with intent to distribute, it may be possible to show that the drugs were for personal use only and not intended for sale or distribution.
- Entrapment: If police pressured or tricked you into committing a drug offense you wouldn’t have otherwise committed, entrapment may apply as a defense.
You can trust that we will do our best to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, challenge unlawfully obtained evidence, and work to have charges reduced or dismissed entirely.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help if You’ve Been Accused of Drug Crimes
It’s always recommended that you contact a criminal defense attorney if you are charged with a crime. Criminal charges like drug crimes can have a significant impact on your life and future, potentially resulting in jail time, fines, and more.
Here’s how a criminal defense attorney can help you:
- Investigate your case and gather evidence to support you
- Explain your charges and any potential consequences you face to you
- Keep you updated and informed throughout the case
- Communicate with the prosecution on your behalf
- Use expert witnesses and legal resources as needed
- Fight to get your charges reduced or even dismissed
- Take your case to trial, if necessary
To learn more about how a drug crimes lawyer can help in Maryland, reach out to an experienced team like Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys today.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer
Don’t let a drug crime accusation or conviction in Montgomery County, Maryland, derail your future. At Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys, we have over 125 years of combined experience and have the only board-certified DUI defense attorney in Maryland on our legal team.
If you need experienced, proven criminal defense help, reach out today. We offer a free initial consultation with a Montgomery County drug crime lawyer, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
