Facing a Drug Offense
If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug offense in Maryland, you should immediately consult with an experienced Maryland drug lawyer to learn more about your defense options.
Maryland drug laws have changed over the last few years, which means that not everyone may be aware of the legality of a given substance or the possession of a certain amount of that substance. Regardless of the nature of your charges, our MD defense attorneys are prepared to fight for your rights and do everything possible to shield you from the negative consequences that follow a conviction.
Common Drug Charges
In the state of Maryland, the seriousness of a drug charge typically depends on the type and amount of drug involved in the offense. Offenses involving Schedule I and II drugs, like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, are treated most harshly.
Possession, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance are the most common drug charges in the state. Our MD drug attorneys also have experience handling higher level drug charges, including acting as a so-called volume dealer handling very large amounts of controlled substances, operating as a drug kingpin of a large drug-dealing enterprise, and importing controlled substances into Maryland.
Maryland Penalties for Drug-Related Activity
Because Maryland takes drug crimes so seriously, penalties for such offenses can be substantial, including hefty fines and long jail sentences. Penalties under Maryland Code § 5-601 range from up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 for possession of a controlled substance that is not marijuana, to 20 to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million, with a mandatory minimum 20 year prison sentence for acting as a drug kingpin in Maryland.
Marijuana Offenses in Maryland
Marijuana – though it is still considered a Schedule I controlled substance – is treated somewhat differently and carries a lesser penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1000 for misdemeanor possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana. Possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana is considered a civil violation, though it is still important to consult with a Maryland drug lawyer, since this offense can still stay on a person’s record for years.
Enhanced Penalties For Drug Offenses in Maryland
Some circumstances can trigger heightened penalties for drug-related offenses. Using a weapon during a drug trafficking crime, committing a drug-related offense near a school or other area that minors frequent, or using a minor to manufacturer or distribute controlled substances are all separate offenses with harsh penalties that can be attached to the charges you are facing.
Subsequent convictions also carry increasingly severe penalties. For instance, a third violation involving a Schedule I or II controlled substance is a felony offense carrying a mandatory minimum 25 year prison sentence and a fine of up to $100,000. If you have a prior drug conviction, it is especially important to consult an experienced drug defense attorney in Maryland to make sure that your rights are being protected.
Work with Legal Counsel Today
The Maryland drug lawyers at our firm handle substance-related cases across the state of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Howard County, Baltimore, Anne Arundel County and many other jurisdictions throughout the state. Call us today to set up your confidential case evaluation free of charge.