Drug Possession Lawyer Salt Lake City
Possession is the most common drug charge. If you have been charged with the possession of illegal drugs, you are going to need a good attorney. The possible consequences of possessing illegal substances can be quite severe. Each year drug laws are changing. Not only are there federal laws regarding drug crime, but each state has there own specific laws concerning the possession, manufacture, and sale of controlled substances.
Having been charged with illegal drug possession, you would generally receive more severe consequences on a federal level than a state level conviction. For some, the courts have put a greater emphasis on treatment versus incarceration. However, this is not nearly the case for everyone nor is it the typical mentality of our court system today. If you have been arrested and charged with illegal drug possession, call the Jardine Law Offices today at 801-451-9555. Know what probable outcomes you will be facing and how best to reduce your fines and likely reduce jail time.
What you should know:
Utah has its own Controlled Substance Act that puts drugs into 5 “schedules” like most states. Schedules one and two are the most dangerous and three through five decrease in severity of possible addiction or harm.
- Utah had the seventh-highest drug overdose rate between 2013 and 2015 in the U.S.
- Prescription drug deaths in Utah have increased by 400 percent since 2000.
- Only one in ten people with a substance abuse disorder will receive treatment.
- Painkillers, tranquilizers, and stimulants are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
- 13 is the average age children experiment with drugs
- More than $600 billion annually is lost due to substance abuse
- Marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogens are the most commonly abused illegal drugs
Illegal Schedule One Substances Include:
- Heroin
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Ecstasy
- Peyote
- Methaqualone
Schedule Two Substances Include:
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Meperidine (Demerol)
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin)
- Fentanyl (Duragesic)
- Dexedrine
- Adderall
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Hydrocodone
What charges you may face:
If you are in possession of a schedule two substance, you must have a valid legal prescription. Possession of a Schedule one and two controlled substance (without a prescription) is a 3rd-degree felony. This sentence gives the judge the ability to sentence you to up to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines for a first offense. The amount of illegal substance you were found with, will determine whether or not you are charged with simple possession or possession with intent to distribute. In Utah, if you are found guilty of Possession With Intent to Distribute your charge becomes a second-degree felony. A second-degree felony is punishable by up to a maximum of 15 years in prison.
If you have been charged with possession, call the Jardine Law Offices as soon as possible at 801-451-9555 or visit our website at www.jardinelawoffices.com for a free case evaluation. Jardine Law Offices have considerable experience in drug crime cases, including simple possession, large-scale distribution, methamphetamine laboratories, firearm infractions, and money laundering. Let our expert attorneys on drug possession make sure you are not given the maximum penalties, but instead, are treated fairly and given a chance at a better future.
