Phoenix drug possession lawyer
There were 2,541 drug arrests in Arizona in 2023, down 91 from 2022 and 503 from 2021. In Phoenix, Arizona’s largest and most populous city, hundreds of individuals are arrested for drug crimes each year, with charges ranging from simple possession to trafficking.
If you’ve been charged with drug crimes in Phoenix, reach out to our Phoenix drug crime attorneys. For more than 15 years, our expert legal team has been representing individuals accused of drug crimes, and we’ve achieved positives outcomes for more than 70% of our clients.
Our Practice Areas
Drug Possession Charges
If you’re found to be in possession of a controlled substance, you can be charged with a range of drug possession crimes. The penalties for a drug crime conviction are determined by a handful of factors, but you could get anywhere from probation to mandatory prison time if you receive a felony conviction.
Arizona drug laws outline four kinds of possession: actual, constructive, joint, and possession with intent to distribute.
If charged with any of these types of possession, get in touch with a phoenix drug crime lawyer right away.
Actual Drug Possession
Being found with dangerous drugs on your person is serious, and you could end up facing drug crime charges for this.
Moreover, if police officers have reason to believe you were in possession of controlled substances immediately before they arrived, they can charge you with actual possession, even if, for example, they don’t find a small amount of heroin in your pocket.
Of course, what you’re found to be in possession of is significant. Having a small amount of marijuana won’t result in serious drug crime charges, whereas possessing a large amount of cocaine could result in severe penalties from a drug conviction.
Constructive Drug Possession
Many drug crime cases involve constructive possession of illegal drugs. Basically, if a dangerous drug is found on property you own, you could be hit with drug possession charges, even if you weren’t present when the drugs were found.
For example, if a bunch of teenagers throw a house party, and a police search turns up dangerous drugs, the homeowners could be charged with drug offenses, even if they weren’t home when the party was going on.
Joint Drug Possession
When drugs are found in a space occupied by numerous people, and it’s not clear who they belong to, the police can charge everyone present with joint drug possession.
For example, if your roommate has drugs in the apartment you both share, and you know of them but don’t do anything about them, you could have to face drug charges that may result in a criminal record being established.
Possession With Intent to Distribute
Of all the types of drug possession, possession with intent to distribute is by far the most serious.
How does law enforcement distinguish between simple possession and possession with intent to distribute? It depends on the evidence they find.
If they find a large quantity of dangerous drugs, cash, and equipment that’s commonly involved in drug sales, you could be charged with federal drug crimes that, if convicted, result in harsh penalties.
Drug Trafficking Cases
Of all the drug crimes an individual can be charged with, few are more severe than charges relating to drug trafficking.
Drug trafficking is a step up from possession with intent to distribute, and it usually involves drug manufacturing, transportation, and the sale of drugs across state lines and international borders.
When it comes to trafficking charges, a lot depends on the drug involved. Trafficking heroin, for example, is a major drug offense that’s guaranteed to result in a criminal case being brought against you.
Below are the drug categories, or schedules, according to Arizona law:
Schedule I
Heroin, LSD, ecstasy, MDMA, acid, magic mushrooms, peyote, Psilocybin, and lysergic acid diethylamide are all schedule I drugs.
Schedule II
Cocaine, methadone, methamphetamine, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, oxycontin, and opium are all schedule II drugs.
Schedule III
Ketamine, Gamma-hydroxybutric acid, Special K, lysergic acid, Rohypnol, and anabolic steroids are all schedule III drugs.
Schedule IV
Valium, Xanax, Ambient, and Zolpidem are all schedule IV drugs.
Schedule V
Most substances in this schedule have limited quantities of narcotics along with non-narcotic active medical ingredients.
If you’re charged with drug trafficking in Phoenix, consult our criminal defense lawyer immediately. During your free consultation, they’ll consider all the facts before advising next steps.
Drug-Related DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) of certain drugs is prohibited by Arizona law, meaning you could end up facing charges for numerous drug crimes if you’re found to be doing this.
Again, the drugs involved is an important element. If over the counter medications are causing you to drive erratically, it’s likely you’ll get, at most, minor drug charges.
Conversely, if you’re found to be driving under the influence of dangerous, illegal narcotics, you’ll probably receive charges for serious drug crimes.
What defenses are often claimed in drug-related DUI cases? Voluntary and involuntary intoxication are two common defenses:
Voluntary Intoxication
Your criminal defense attorney may argue that you took prescription drugs as directed and didn’t expect temporary impairment because there was no explicit warning on the bottle.
Involuntary Intoxication
You may argue that you unknowingly consumed a spiked drink which later impaired your ability to drive.
Plea Bargains
After hearing the facts of your case, our Phoenix drug crime attorney may determine that taking a plea is your best option.
Moreover, we’ll negotiate with the district or U.S. attorney who’s bringing charges so you get the best deal possible.
For example, if you were charged with possession with intent to distribute, we might be able to get the charged reduced to simple possession in return for a criminal conviction.
This is just one of the instances when having a skilled and experienced Phoenix drug crimes lawyer on your side makes a world of difference.
Drug Paraphernalia Possession
If you’re found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, you could get caught up in the criminal justice system, even if no drugs are found with the paraphernalia.
Drug paraphernalia manufacturing, for example, is a serious drug crime that can result in more severe penalties.
Illegal Use of Prescription Drugs
Possessing prescription drugs without a valid prescription could bring a range of drug charges, especially if a police officer finds a large quantity of opioids on your person.
Even though prescription drugs have accepted medical uses, using them without a legitimate prescription is against the law.
Expungement
If you were convicted of a drug offense, and the conviction was overturned later, you’ll need to have the conviction expunged from your record, otherwise it may be difficult for you to secure housing, employment, or education.
But our law firm won’t only help you get convictions and charges expunged; we’ll also help you get back into society after an incarceration.
Illegal Marijuana Cultivation
Medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are both legal in Arizona, but cultivating more than six marijuana plants on your property is a felony offense in Maricopa County.
Reach out to Drug Possession Lawyer USA right away if you receive drug charges related to possession or cultivation of marijuana.
Why Choose Drug Possession Lawyer USA
Experience and Expertise
Our law group has more than 100 years of collective courtroom experience, so we’re the professionals to contact if you’re looking to take a drug case to trial.
From the start of the legal process to its conclusion, we’ll be by your side, providing expert legal advice and assistance—no matter what you’re accused of.
Aggressive Defense
To build a compelling drug crime defense, our criminal defense lawyer will assess the facts of the case, determine which laws are applicable, and consider all relevant precedent.
While assessing the facts, they’ll be on the lookout for any details that indicate your rights were violated. For example, if an illegal search was conducted to gather evidence, they’ll motion to have the case dismissed.
Vast Resources
The resources available to a criminally accused play a pivotal role in every drug case. In fact, the resources at your disposal may largely determine whether you receive a guilty or not guilty verdict.
In the past, we’ve used the testimony of expert witnesses, usually ex law enforcement officers and forensics specialists, to refute a prosecutor’s claims.
100% Personalized Service
At Drug Possession Lawyer USA, we can achieve the outcomes that big firms often get, yet we always deliver the personalized services that small firms are known for.
In other words, you’ll never be “just another case” to us. We’ll take the time to understand the intricacies of your case and come up with defense strategies that are likely to yield positive results.
And even after your case is resolved, we’ll make a range of services available to you so your life isn’t permanently affected by a felony conviction.
Consult Our Phoenix Drug Possession Lawyer Now
If you’ve been charged with drug crimes in Phoenix, there’s no time to waste!
Contact our criminal defense attorney immediately. The consultation is free and we’re available 24/7.
With our law group on your side, your rights as a criminally accused will be protected, and we’ll exhaust every available option to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.