Mooresville Drug Possession Lawyer

Mooresville Drug Possession Attorney

Even trace amounts of an illegal drug can result in criminal charges that require the services of a Mooresville drug possession lawyer. Whatever the drug in question, any drug-related arrest is a serious matter that comes with potential penalties like steep fines, jail time, and a criminal record. Fortunately, The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., has extensive experience fighting for the rights of defendants who are charged with drug possession.

Being charged with a crime is not an admittance of guilt. With the help of our esteemed attorney, you may be able to have your criminal charges lowered or even dropped. Our law firm can provide a free consultation and fight to protect your rights each step of the way until your case is fully resolved.

How Serious Are Drug Possession Charges?

Drug possession charges most often constitute a lower offense than selling, distributing, or trafficking drugs. Around half of Americans over the age of 12 report having used an illegal drug at least once in their life. Criminal laws governing penalties for drug possession are governed by federal and state laws. Drugs are categorized into the following schedules:

• Schedule I: Heroin, peyote, mescaline, and many psychoactive drugs are Schedule I drugs that come with a felony charge and a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.
• Schedule II: Morphine and opioid possession carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison unless the amounts exceed certain dosages or weight.
• Schedule III: Barbiturates, codeine, and other illegal drugs under this classification can result in sentences of up to two years in prison or more, depending on the number of pills and dosages.
• Schedule IV: Narcotics under Schedule IV have the same penalties as Schedule III.
• Schedule V: Schedule V drugs are compounds that contain limited amounts of codeine, ethylmorphine, dihydrocodeine, atropine, and opium, among other drugs. These controlled substances carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail or a fine.
• Schedule VI: Possession of marijuana and any drug containing THC can lead to a maximum jail or prison sentence of 30 days to five years, depending on the quantity of drug found.

North Carolina drug laws also criminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia. Possession of drug paraphernalia has a potential maximum penalty of 120 days in prison and/or a fine. No matter what your drug possession charge is, your Mooresville drug possession lawyer can fight to protect your rights because every defendant is presumed to be innocent.

What Constitutes Drug Paraphernalia?

Anyone caught possessing drugs in Mooresville may also be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Even everyday items like a food scale or silverware can be viewed by law enforcement as illegal contraband. Fortunately, prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that each item was intended for drug use.

North Carolina laws detail categories of activities that may be tied to drug paraphernalia charges. You may be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia if the items in your possession were allegedly used for these drug-related reasons:

• Packing drugs
• Planting marijuana
• Storing drugs
• Inhaling crack cocaine
• Processing narcotics
• Concealing marijuana

Possession of marijuana paraphernalia, for example, can lead to a Class 3 misdemeanor. Hemp and marijuana are legal for recreational and medical use in many states, but that doesn’t mean that common items like a grinder or a glass pipe cannot be used as evidence of drug paraphernalia possession.

As with drug possession charges, your defense attorney can work to reduce the charges or have them dropped altogether. Our law firm has helped many clients lower their charges as a means of avoiding excessive fines or jail time.

Can My Charges Be Lowered or Dropped?

If your defense attorney gathers evidence and testimony that point toward your innocence, your charges may be dropped. Even in cases where prosecutors are unwilling to drop charges, a jury may exonerate you.

Prosecutors consider many factors when deciding whether to reduce the charges you are facing. Having a clean criminal record or only very minor offenses on your record can help your case. Additionally, plea bargaining is common in North Carolina. To dispose of cases and prevent courtroom backlogs, prosecutors often offer reduced criminal charges in Mooresville in return for a guilty plea.

Throughout that process, you can trust your Mooresville drug possession lawyer to fight for your interests and your rights. Having medical authorization for possession of medications that police viewed as illegal, for example, weakens the prosecutor’s case.

FAQs

Q: Do First-Time Drug Offenders Go to Jail in NC?

A: Jail and prison time are potential penalties for a drug conviction, but many first-time offenders who were in possession of small amounts of drugs are offered probation in lieu of jail time. One of the most effective ways to ensure that you do not have to spend time in jail is to hire an experienced attorney who understands drug laws.

Q: What Is the Law on Drug Possession in NC?

A: Anyone in possession of an illegal drug is subject to criminal charges in North Carolina. The maximum penalties for each possession charge depend on how that drug is classified and the amount of drugs found in the defendant’s possession. Anyone found to be selling or transporting drugs with intent to sell is subject to steeper penalties.

Q: What Is the Sentence for Drug Paraphernalia in NC?

A: The sentence you receive depends on the type of paraphernalia and the types of drugs found. Possession of a device for smoking marijuana, for example, is subject to a criminal charge of a Class 3 misdemeanor in Mooresville. The fine for possession of drug paraphernalia is typically a few hundred dollars.

Q: What Is a Class H Drug Felony in NC?

A: Class H felonies are subject to a maximum of 39 months of jail time. The sale and distribution of Schedule IV and V drugs are potential Class H felonies. Non-drug-related crimes that are classified as Class H felonies include escaping from prison, hit and runs resulting in bodily injury, and first-degree forgery.

Work With an Experienced Mooresville Drug Possession Lawyer

The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., is here to fight for your rights following an arrest for drug possession. Being charged with a crime does not mean that you are guilty. Our attorney can research your case as a means of finding the optimal outcome. Take the first step by contacting our office today.