If you are stopped by the police and then arrested for driving while impaired by drugs or if you face accusations of drug possession, trafficking, distribution or manufacturing after the police enter your home, you need to work on a strong defense as soon as possible. The penalties that you could face for drug charges will vary based on the specific circumstances of the case. To know what kind of sentence you’ll potentially face, you’ll need to answer a few questions such as:
By asking these questions and finding their answers, your attorney will be able to give you a better idea of what to expect.
There are some common drug crime penalties that you should get to know. For example, driving while impaired may lead to you losing your license for a mandatory six-month license suspension, even if this is your first offense. If you have no prior drug convictions, you will be able to seek a restricted license after 30 days. For cultivating a controlled substance (Schedule I or II) and possessing 1,000 grams or more, you could face fines of up to $1 million and a felony. It’s possible to go to prison for life. On the minor end of cultivation charges, those with less than 50 grams of a cultivated Schedule I or II drug may face fines of up to $25,000 and go to prison for up to 20 years. It’s important to get to know the charges you face as well as the potential penalties to help you determine your goals for a defense. With the right information and support, it may be possible to negotiate down the penalties or to get the case dismissed completely.
