Charles County Heroin Lawyer
As the heroin and opioid epidemic continues to sweep the nation, Maryland is also affected. More and more people are facing arrests for heroin and severe penalties and permanently damaging consequences that come from these charges. If you are in the midst of a case of this type, contacting a Charles County heroin lawyer for assistance may be critical to attaining a favorable resolution to the charges that you are facing.
A skilled drug lawyer could examine the facts and circumstances that led to your charges and weigh the evidence against you. They could identify any errors made by law enforcement officials in your case and protect your rights throughout your criminal proceedings, potentially leading to a better final outcome.
Controlled Substances Offenses in Charles County
Most states, along with the state of Maryland, categorize controlled substances into five different schedules per the Federal Controlled Substances Act. The schedule of a controlled substance generally depends on the danger of the drug, its propensity for misuse or abuse, and whether any accepted medical uses exist for the drug. Schedule I drugs are the drugs that legislators consider to be most dangerous under both federal law and the state Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescriptions, and Other Substances Act.
The charges and accompanying penalties for drug offenses depend on the schedule of the drug and the nature of the crime. Potential charges may range from possession to distribution and trafficking of controlled substances. As heroin constitutes a Schedule I drug under state law, offenses involving heroin carry the potential for some of the harshest drug charges and penalties.
Md. Code, Crim. Law § 5-601 makes it illegal to possess or administer a controlled dangerous substance to others. It is also illegal to distribute a dangerous controlled substance or possess it in a quantity that indicates an intent to distribute it. Additionally, it is illegal for people to maintain a common nuisance, or a place to illegally administer, distribute, or store drugs.
Penalties for Charles County Heroin Offenses
Possession of heroin is a misdemeanor offense, and even a first offense could result in a jail sentence not to exceed one year and a $5,000 fine. Second or third violations of this section increase the potential penalties to 18 months of imprisonment. A fourth or subsequent conviction for heroin possession carries the possibility for two years’ incarceration.
Any violation of the criminal laws concerning possession with intent to distribute, distribution, or maintenance of a common nuisance that involves a Schedule I or Schedule II narcotic drug is a felony offense. A conviction for any of these offenses may result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. As the potential consequences of a heroin conviction can be exceedingly harsh, building a robust defense strategy with the help of a local heroin lawyer may be essential to a positive result.
Conspiracy to commit any of these crimes also can result in the same or even more severe penalties if individuals have at least one previous conviction for conspiracy to commit a crime or some drug crimes. A separate criminal charge and enhanced penalties also apply if individuals knowingly add fentanyl to heroin that they then distribute to others.
Get Advice From a Charles County Heroin Attorney Today
State law enforcement authorities have made the eradication of heroin and other similar drugs a priority. The state legislature has enacted substantial penalties for heroin offenses, particularly against those accused of possession with intent to distribute or distributing heroin to others. Seeking immediate advice from a Charles County heroin lawyer may be vital to clearing your name and minimizing the impact of a heroin conviction on your life. Call today to schedule a consultation for your case.
