Tacoma Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

Getting arrested for a drug crime is something that no one wants to go through. Simply being accused of the possession or use of illegal drugs can have devastating and lasting consequences. Having your reputation ruined, incurring enormous legal expenses, and being sentenced to jail time are just a few of the consequences that you can expect from being arrested for a drug crime.

If you have been arrested in Washington state for charges related to drugs or illicit substances, finding the right Tacoma criminal defense lawyer should be of the highest priority. Your Tacoma drug crime defense lawyer with Puget Law Group can investigate the charges against you and advise you of your options. No two cases are the same, and circumstances can change drastically between defendants, so sound legal counsel is essential.

The Differing Schedules of Drugs in Washington State

According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 69.50, the scheduling of drugs follows the same pattern as federal schedules as defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Unless mandated by state or federal law, drugs with the potential for abuse or dependency are prohibited from use or possession. Using the term drugs as an umbrella term for drugs, controlled substances, or chemicals, categorized into Schedules I through V based on the potential for abuse and accepted medical use:

• Schedule I are drugs that have a high potential for abuse and have no recognized medical benefits.
• Schedule II are drugs that have highly regulated medical applications but still carry a high potential for abuse.
• Schedule III are drugs that are medically accepted but still carry a low to moderate potential for physical and psychological dependence.
• Schedule IV are drugs with a medical application and a low potential for abuse.
• Schedule V are drugs with a low potential for abuse but still contain small levels of narcotics.

While you can be technically arrested and charged for any Scheduled drugs, the main focus of law enforcement is usually on Schedules I, II, and III. Regardless of the drug crime for which you are being charged, you will certainly need professional legal representation. The seriousness of the charges will depend on which Schedule level the controlled substances in your case are classified as.

Common Charges for Drug Crimes in Tacoma

Possession and distribution of controlled substances are easily two of the most common charges related to drugs. However, charges can range from simple misdemeanors that carry short prison sentences and fines to major felonies that could very well mean spending the rest of your life in prison. You may even be charged with the use of a controlled substance that may require the skills of a DUI defense lawyer in Tacoma.

Charges for possession of drugs or even paraphernalia may still ruin your life if convicted. While they may not carry the long-term prison sentences that distribution charges can carry, a conviction of drug possession can still destroy your reputation within your community. According to the Sixth Amendment, you still have the right to legal representation regardless of your charges or financial means.

Drug charges are also commonly tried at the federal level. The Federal Judicial System may have jurisdiction over your case if the controlled substances crossed state lines or there was a large quantity of illicit drugs involved. These may carry far more severe penalties that could make it even more difficult for you to cope with your sentence if convicted.

Penalties for Drug Charges Can Range from Fines to Prison Time

Many variables can influence the charges that the state may bring against you. The schedule of the drug, the amount, and other associated crimes, including possession of a firearm, may play a role in the charges levied against you. The police may even attempt to have you become an informant to have your charges dropped or reduced.

Penalties will often depend on whether the charges are misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanors can often be addressed with fines, short-term sentences in county jail, or possibly both. However, if you are charged with a felony, you can expect state prison sentences between several years to potential life sentences if the charges are deemed Class A or there are aggravating factors present in your case.

There are other collateral consequences you may suffer stemming from drug charges outside of fines or prison sentences. Though less tangible than sentences received in court, they can be just as devastating. Being convicted of a drug charge can mean the loss of parental rights, divorce from your partner, and loss of essential liberties like the right to vote or the right to own a firearm.

Building Your Defense Against Drug Crime Charges

If you have been arrested for drug crimes, it is inadvisable to make any statements to police until you have consulted with your Tacoma drug crime defense attorney. Police are not required by law to tell you the truth and often use deceptive tactics to trick suspects into incriminating themselves. To ensure you are not taken advantage of by the police, the only information you are legally obligated to provide to the police if they stop you on the street is your true and legal identity, according to the Seattle Office of Police Accountability.

While popular opinion and television fantasy teaches you that speaking with police when you are innocent is fine, the truth is asserting your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent cannot be held against you in court. Prosecutors may often make deals with suspects if the evidence collected is weak. Some options aside from penalties of fines or prison are plea agreements or pre-trial diversion programs.

Plea agreements are deals made with prosecutors that allow suspects to either cooperate with investigations or a reduction in charges. However, if you do not qualify, your drug crime defense lawyer in Tacoma with Puget Law Group will need to consider other options. For example, we might argue that your constitutional rights were violated, you were the victim of an unlawful stop, or you lacked actual or constructive possession of the controlled substances in question.

Safeguard Your Rights and Liberties by Choosing Tacoma’s Leading Drug Crime Defense Attorney for Your Case

Do not let law enforcement take advantage of your unfamiliarity with statutory law or your rights. Puget Law Group has over 150 years of experience in the criminal justice system in Washington. Call us or fill out our contact form now to schedule a free consultation today with a drug crime defense attorney in Tacoma.