Port Orchard Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of a drug crime, you may be able to avoid a conviction. At this point, it may be beneficial to seek legal help. A Port Orchard criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you build an argument that leads the court to rule in your favor.

At Puget Law Group (PLG), we understand the complexities of drug offense laws in Washington. Our Port Orchard drug crime defense lawyer is available to discuss your case. For more information, reach out to us.

Types of Drug Crimes

There is a direct correlation between drugs and crime. A person may commit a drug-related crime and suffer serious consequences. Examples of drug offenses include:

Possession

Per Revised Code of Washington (RCW) §69.50.4013, possessing certain controlled substances may be illegal. Also, a person may be punished if they use a controlled substance in a public space. Drug possession may be treated as a misdemeanor, with penalties including imprisonment and a fine.

Trafficking

When someone traffics drugs, they are involved in the distribution, sale, and cultivation of illicit substances. Trafficking is typically considered a felony. If you are convicted of drug trafficking, the consequences of the charge may affect you for the rest of your life.

Manufacturing

If you are involved in the manufacturing of drugs, you may be punished accordingly. The penalties you face may depend on the drug you are producing, whether you already have a criminal record, and other factors. A drug crime defense attorney in Port Orchard, WA, may be able to help you get a drug manufacturing charge dropped or reduced.

PLG has a legal team in place to help you combat a drug charge. Our Port Orchard drug crime lawyer works in lockstep with you to help you achieve the best possible case results. To learn more, get in touch with us.

Drug Crime Offense Levels

You may face a Level I drug offense if you possess a controlled substance. With an initial charge, you may receive up to six months in prison. You may also have the option of agreeing to a lesser charge through the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA) program.

A Level II offense is more severe than a Level I charge. For example, delivery of a controlled substance may be considered a Level II crime. If someone has previously been found guilty of drug crimes, they may receive up to 10 years in prison if they are convicted of this crime.

Delivery of drugs by someone over the age of 18 to a minor is one of several Level III offenses. A Level III crime is considered the most serious among drug charges. If convicted, you may receive a prison sentence that lasts up to 10 years.

Drug Crime Penalties

If you are found in possession of a controlled substance, you may be charged with a Class C felony. This may be punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $10,000. You may be ordered to complete inpatient or outpatient drug treatment as a condition to get released from prison.

Penalties may be more significant based on the type of drug offense. For instance, you may be charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, which is a Class B felony. With this charge, you may be subject to up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

You may have alternatives to prison time and fines. Some defendants are able to take advantage of probation and diversion programs. A Port Orchard drug crime defense attorney may be able to help you explore these legal options and many others.

Drug Crime Legal Strategy

A drug crime defense lawyer in Port Orchard can answer frequently asked questions and many others about how to contest a charge. They may work with you to develop a legal strategy. Common legal defenses used in drug offense cases include:

Lack of Knowledge

A prosecutor may be able to show you were in possession of drugs, but they may struggle to provide proof you know about them. With help from a drug crime defense attorney in Port Orchard, you may be able to illustrate you have no knowledge of illicit substances at your home or businesses. This may raise doubts about the prosecution’s argument to the point where the court decides to dismiss the case against you.

Illegal Search and Seizure

According to the Fourth Amendment, police officers cannot search and seize your property without probable cause or a warrant. You may be able to prove the police arrested you based on illicit substances they collected without your permission. If you are successful, the prosecution may not have enough evidence to compel the court to rule against you.

Entrapment

There may be instances where police officers coerce someone into committing a drug offense. In these instances, someone may be the victim of entrapment. You may be able to argue you were entrapped, which could help you convince the court to rule in your favor.

Chain of Custody

A prosecutor may try to prove the drugs police officers obtained from you and present these substances as evidence. However, you may be able to show these drugs were not the ones found on you when you were arrested. This may weaken the prosecution’s case.

Lack of Evidence

The prosecution is responsible for the burden of proof and must show the court why you deserve to be punished for a drug offense. If the prosecution lacks a sufficient amount of evidence, you may be able to poke holes in their case. You may also have the opportunity to negotiate a plea deal, which allows you to accept a lesser charge.

It may be helpful to hire a drug crime lawyer who has achieved great case results. This attorney may consider the facts of your case and how to contest the prosecution’s argument. They may look for opportunities to negotiate a plea bargain, which could help you avoid a prison sentence.

Partner with a Port Orchard Drug Crime Defense Attorney

PLG is a Pacific Northwest criminal defense law firm with nine former prosecutors on staff. We are here to help you with your drug crime case. To get started, contact us today.