Cecil County Drug Lawyer
A drug conviction on your record can have serious personal and professional consequences. Drug convictions are socially stigmatizing and make it difficult to keep a job, find a new job, and find a place to live. A prison sentence can also diminish your self-esteem, making it hard on both you and your family. Drug charges in Cecil County can be tough to fight. However, everyone facing drug charges is entitled to their day in court.
That is why you need an experienced Cecil County drug lawyer who can represent you during your case. A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can examine every facet of your case and research potentially effective defense strategies. Call and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Drug Charges Versus Convictions
A drug charge is different from a conviction. A charge means that someone is accused of committing a crime. A conviction, on the other hand, usually means that a judge or jury has already found the person guilty of committing a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. When it comes to proving that someone committed a drug crime, the burden of proof is always on the prosecution. A Cecil County drug attorney can help the accused prepare a defense to their charge.
Types of Drug Crimes in Cecil County
As an attorney could further explain, Cecil County classifies drug crimes into three different categories. Those categories include:
- Drug possession crimes – A person can face a drug possession charge if they are in actual physical possession of a drug or if they constructively possess a drug. A person constructively possesses a drug when the police find the drug in the person’s home, car, or immediate reach or vicinity.
- Possession of drugs with the intent to distribute – The prosecution can charge someone with drug possession with intent to distribute if the police find a sufficient (predetermined) quantity of drugs in the person’s possession. When the quantity is of a certain amount, the law presumes that the person possessed the drugs with the intention of selling or distributing them.
- Drug trafficking – The prosecution may charge a person with drug trafficking if the person possesses an unusually large quantity of a specific drug.
Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Charges
In addition to categorizing drug crimes, Cecil County also differentiates between felony and misdemeanor drug charges. If the accused sustains a felony conviction, a judge could sentence them to more than one year in jail.
If the accused sustains a misdemeanor conviction, then they could face at least one year in jail, along with monetary fines and other penalties. Those other penalties can include community service, probation, and mandatory attendance at a drug treatment program.
The decision about whether to charge a drug crime as a felony or a misdemeanor depends upon the drug classification and type, the amount of the drug at issue, and the nature of the charge (e.g., simple possession, possession with intent to distribute, or drug trafficking). In some cases, depending upon the circumstances, a Cecil County drug attorney may be able to negotiate a charge reduction with the prosecutor.
Rely On a Cecil County Drug Attorney
Several defenses are available to individuals charged with drug crimes. If you are charged with constructive possession of a drug, for example, you may allege that you did not own the car or home where the police found the drugs. You could also allege that the police violated your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures when they found the drugs in question.
Whatever the case, if you find yourself charged with drug possession, trafficking, or distribution, you should not delay in finding legal representation. In fact, if you show up to your court hearing or trial without a lawyer, a judge can presume that you are waiving your right to legal representation. A Cecil County drug lawyer can ensure that you make the most of your day in court and maximize your chances of success. Call today to get started.