Cleveland Drug Possession Attorney
Drug crimes can include possession, distribution, manufacturing, and trafficking offenses. Possession of a controlled substance is often a lower offense than trafficking but can still carry serious penalties upon conviction. If you are charged with drug possession, you can hire a Cleveland drug possession lawyer to review your case and develop a strategy to have the charge dropped or reduced.
In many cases, a favorable plea bargain agreement can offer one way to resolve your case so you can put the ordeal behind you and move on with your life. Clevelanders know that they can turn to Fortress Law Group, LLC, to fight their criminal drug possession charges.
Why Trust Fortress Law Group, LLC
We recognize the profound impact drug possession charges can have on your life. The legal system often imposes severe consequences for drug-related offenses, which can extend beyond legal penalties to affect your personal and professional life.
We are dedicated to safeguarding your rights throughout the legal process. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for your case, whether that means reducing charges or securing a favorable plea deal that allows you to move forward. We’ll work diligently to develop a defense strategy tailored to your situation.
Common Drug Possession Charges and Penalties
The Controlled Substances Act lists the drugs that are outlawed under federal law. State laws, including Ohio’s criminal laws, set penalties for people who are found to be in possession of illegal drugs.
Drugs are classified into one of five schedules based on the danger of the drug and the potential for medicinal applications of the drugs. Controlled substances that are deemed to be of little scientific or medicinal value but are dangerous to use are classified as Schedule One drugs, while drugs that are deemed to be less harmful and addictive are classified accordingly in lower schedules.
Drug possession charges can be brought as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the type of drug found, the amount of drug in the defendant’s possession, any aggravating factors, and other factors. Possession of even small amounts of dangerous drugs like heroin or methamphetamine can result in felony charges. Possession of certain drugs like marijuana can still lead to a criminal charge if the defendant possesses a certain amount of marijuana.
Misdemeanors typically involve less severe penalties, such as fines, probation, or time in jail, while felonies carry more serious consequences, including longer prison sentences and larger fines. Felony charges may also result in a permanent criminal record and more significant long-term impacts.
Effective Legal Strategies Against Drug Possession Charges
Drug possession charges are among the most common charges that bring people to Ohio’s criminal courthouses. Police can make mistakes by violating the rights of suspects or falsely accusing someone of possessing drugs that belong to someone else. Being falsely charged with drug possession can be an upsetting experience that takes time to resolve, but having effective legal counsel can undo the damage that was caused.
If you were arrested due to mistaken identity, your lawyer can present evidence to the court that shows the police arrested the wrong person. When prosecutors no longer have sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, they may drop the charges or reduce the offense you are facing.
Other defense strategies could include demonstrating that the evidence against you was obtained illegally by challenging the reliability of witness testimonies or presenting alibi evidence proving you were not at the scene of the alleged crime.
Mistaken identity can lead to someone being falsely charged with a crime that they did not commit. The burden is on prosecutors to secure evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant committed the crime.
FAQs
A: The most useful resource you’ll have for beating a drug charge in Cleveland, Ohio, is your criminal law attorney. Having legal representation on your side allows you to benefit from your lawyer’s years of experience defending clients who are in similar situations. Some defense strategies may be conventional, such as challenging the legality of the initial arrest, while other cases may call for a more novel approach.
A: First-time drug offenders can and do go to jail in Ohio, depending on the type of drug they had in their possession and the quantity of controlled substances they had. It may be up to the discretion of what the prosecution recommends or what the judge decides during sentencing. Even first-time offenders should take drug possession criminal charges seriously.
A: A plea bargain offer generally includes penalties that are below the maximum allowable under the law. Criminal defense attorneys generally push for plea bargains that do not include jail or prison time when possible. A plea bargain offer may include requirements to pay fines, undergo drug rehabilitation, community service, and a probationary period that includes regular drug tests.
A: The statute of limitations for a drug possession charge depends on whether you are facing a potential felony or misdemeanor charge. The statute of limitations for a felony is six years, while a misdemeanor charge must be brought within two years. If prosecutors do not press charges within this window of time, you cannot be charged with the crime.
Schedule Your Drug Charge Consultation Today
Don’t let a drug possession charge ruin your future. You can take steps to resolve your case under terms that allow you to put your arrest behind you by hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the state’s drug possession crimes and how to defend clients against those accusations successfully.
At Fortress Law Group, LLC, our experienced attorney has represented many clients who were facing serious criminal consequences. We have helped defendants reduce or drop their charges. In other cases, we’ve secured favorable plea bargain agreements for our clients. We can help you secure an optimal outcome for your case as well. To schedule your consultation, contact our office today.