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College Park Drug Lawyer

College Park is home to one of the largest colleges in the state, but its students are not the sole focus of law enforcement agencies that are tasked with drug enforcement. In 2012, there were nearly 50,000 drug-related arrests statewide and Maryland logged one of the highest arrest rates related to marijuana in the country. Maryland’s drug laws are complex and varied, offering distinctions between marijuana possession versus the trafficking and sale of marijuana and the possession and sale of other drugs and narcotics. An experienced College Park drug lawyer will understand the specifics of your charge, no matter the drug offense, and can help you navigate the criminal court system. Seth Okin is uniquely qualified to handle any kind of drug offense in the state, and he has strong working relationships with local judges and prosecutors. This is significant, as it can prove beneficial when seeking the reduction or elimination of charges or alternatives to jail or prison in the event your case cannot dismissed or result in a not guilty verdict.

Maryland Marijuana Laws and Penalties

In College Park, possession of marijuana for personal use can result in up to $500 in fines and 90 days in jail. If the amount found in your possession ranges between 10 grams and 50 pounds, the fine may increase to $1,000 and you could be sentenced to one year in jail. Possession for personal use is considered a misdemeanor offense in Maryland.

Possession of marijuana, with intent to distribute, is a felony. The penalty for possession with intent to distribute is imprisonment up to five years and a fine up to $15,000, or both.

Marijuana trafficking in the amount of 5 – 45kgs is also a felony in College Park, and may result in up to ten years imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000. If the amount is more than 45kgs, the penalty jumps to the possibility of 25 years in prison and a possible fine of $50,000, or both.

If you have been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia you are facing a misdemeanor charge that can result in a $500 fine. Selling paraphernalia is also a misdemeanor in College Park, but this charge carries a stiffer penalty that include up to two years behind bars and a fine up to $2,000.

Maryland Drug Laws

Cocaine, Heroin, and other Narcotics

Penalties for the possession, manufacture, and the sale of these drugs are higher than penalties for marijuana offenses. If convicted of possession of these drugs in College Park, you may face four years in prison and a fine of $25,000. Possession of these drugs is considered a misdemeanor in Maryland.

Transporting drugs into the state of Maryland, however, is a felony and conviction can result in up to $50,000 in fines and, potentially, up to 25 years in prison. The penalties associated with this charge increase if it is a second or third offense.

Penalties for manufacturing, selling, or distributing certain drugs, such as LSD or PCP, carry sentences up to 20 years in prison and a fine that can rise to $20,000. Manufacturing, selling, or distributing Schedule I or II narcotics may result in up to 20 years imprisonment and up to a $25,000 fine. Sales to minors or near school property will result in much harsher penalties.

Drug kingpin laws are enforced the same whether they involve marijuana or other drugs. The state of Maryland defines a drug kingpin as anyone who organizes, supervises, or finances a conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or bring a controlled substance into the state of Maryland. Drug kingpin charges are very serious and are classified as a felony with a minimum sentence of 20 years. Fines for a drug kingpin conviction can soar to $1 million.

College Park Drug Lawyers Will Fight for You

Facing drug charges can be an intimidating ordeal: the laws in Maryland are stringent and unyielding. A dedicated College park drug Lawyer will have the depth and breadth of experience needed to successfully defend against these types of cases and will meticulously guide you through the process.

If you are charged with possession, your attorney will examine all the facts of your case and look for every possible defense. He will ask a number of questions, including whether the material was in your control, did it belong to someone else, and did the officer follow correct procedure when the substance was discovered and seized?

If you are charged with sale or distribution your drug attorney will scrutinize the amount allegedly discovered in your possession and whether there is evidence of your alleged intent to sell.

Other factors to consider include the maximum time of incarceration if convicted of your particular offense and whether an argument can be made that you are a good candidate for probation. In some cases, defendants are available to avoid jail in favor of probation.

What about your record? If this is a first offense you may be very concerned about acquiring a criminal record, especially if you are facing felony charges. In some cases, your record can be expunged and a charge can be effectively eliminated from your record. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to explain that process and work toward protecting your rights and your reputation by pursuing expungement.

Contact a College Park Drug Lawyer Today

This is a difficult time and there is no doubt that a lot is at stake. Your freedom, your reputation, and your future all hang in the balance. Do not leave this in the hands of an over-worked and underpaid public defender or court-appointed lawyer. Consult with Seth Okin, an experienced College Park drug defense attorney, at his Maryland law offices today.