Grand Rapids Drug Lawyer

Being charged with a drug crime is serious, and if you find yourself in this situation, you will certainly want an experienced Grand Rapids drug lawyer on your side. Numerous factors will impact the severity of an individual’s drug charge, including the individual’s intent and the type of drug they have been accused of possessing or trafficking. The most common types of drug crimes include:

• Possession
• Selling
• Manufacturing
• Growing and cultivating
• Trafficking
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

To get the best possible outcome in your case, you will need a strong understanding of state and federal drug laws, and by working with an experienced drug defense lawyer, you can ensure that your personal rights and liberties are taken into consideration at all times.

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Possession of a controlled substance is one of the most common drug charges in the country that warrant contact with a Grand Rapids drug attorney. When a person is accused of this crime, it is believed that they were in possession of an illegal drug. To be charged with possession, the court must be able to prove the individual:

• Was in physical possession of a controlled substance at the time of arrest
• Was aware of the presence of the previously mentioned substance
• Had an opportunity to refuse or legally dispose of the substance

Contrary to popular belief, an individual can be found guilty of possession even if they are not in physical possession of the substance. If law enforcement arrests an individual, they may also arrest any other person(s) believed to be in control of the substance.

Distribution, Selling, and Drug Paraphernalia Charges

Possession of a controlled substance is serious enough, but if an individual intends to sell or distribute the substance, they will face more severe charges. If a person intends to exchange the illegal substance for cash or material goods, they can be charged with additional charges.

In most jurisdictions, it is also illegal to possess drug paraphernalia. Drug paraphernalia is described as an object that is used to do the following to an illegal substance:

• Plant or cultivate
• Harvest
• Manufacture
• Ingest
• Test/Analyze
• Store

If the law has reason to believe that someone is in possession of drug paraphernalia, or they intend to sell the substance they were in possession of, they will need a qualified Grand Rapids drug lawyer to fight the charges.

Potential Legal Consequences

The severity of an individual’s punishment will primarily depend on the charge itself and the type of substance associated with the charge. For example, possession of more powerful substances, such as cocaine or heroin, carry more extreme punishments than marijuana.

If an individual is found to be in possession of a legal medical drug, but they do not have a prescription, they can also be charged with a drug crime. Depending on the circumstances, individuals charged with drug crimes can face:

• Imprisonment
• Probation
• Mandatory rehabilitation or counseling programs
• Legal fines and court costs

State and federal governments use a drug schedule that places drugs (both legal and illegal) into five distinct schedules. The lower the schedule number, the harsher the legal penalty will be (ex: Schedule I drugs are more serious than Schedule II or III drugs).

Working With a Grand Rapids Drug Attorney

If you are currently seeking help after you have been charged, an established Grand Rapids drug lawyer will be more than happy to provide you with a strong defense. Contact a skilled attorney right away to speak about your drug charges.

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