Cornelius Drug Crimes Lawyer

If you have been arrested for or are under investigation for a drug crime, it is important that you know that a conviction is not a given. The prosecution has to prove every element of the charge(s) in order to convict you of the crime. When you have an experienced drug crime defense lawyer on your side, you are better able to see the strengths and weaknesses in your case. Your lawyer can challenge the evidence they have against you and can work to fight to get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

If your case does move forward, some of the points in your case that can be disputed include:

• Your intent to sell or deliver drugs
• Possession of drugs
• The quantity of drugs and their authenticity
• How reliable the witnesses are
• The chain of custody for the drugs

When you work with an experienced Cornelius drug crime legal team, you will find that you have a collaborative team of skilled lawyers who can discuss your case and develop different angles of a defense strategy to fight for a chance at getting your charges reduced or dismissed. We will aggressively fight for your most favorable legal outcome and advise you as to whether to accept a plea bargain or proceed forward to a trial.

The penalties for drug crimes in Cornelius will range in severity depending on the type and quantity of drugs involved at the time of your arrest. The King Law drug crime lawyers have been successful in fighting a variety of drug crimes, including those involving marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, and others.

In Cornelius, North Carolina, it is illegal to possess, manufacture, deliver, sell, or possess with the intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance. The legal term ‘controlled substance’ is defined as various illegal drugs that are categorized by Schedule type according to their potential for abuse and addictive qualities as well as their danger to the user. Drug classifications are organized according to the following Schedules:

• Schedule 1: Heroin, LSD, methaqualone, GHB, ecstasy, opiates, and peyote.
• Schedule 2: Cocaine, raw opium, opium extracts, codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, methamphetamine, methadone, and Ritalin.
• Schedule 3: Anabolic steroids, ketamine, and some barbiturates. 
• Schedule 4: Valium, Xanax, Darvon, Rohypnol, barbital, and clonazepam.
• Schedule 5: Over-the-counter cough medicine that is mixed with codeine and similar medications.
• Schedule 6: Marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil.

Sentencing guidelines under North Carolina law include the following penalties for possession, distribution, and/or manufacturing of controlled substances depending on the quantity and type of drug:

Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana

Penalties for a misdemeanor marijuana charge will depend on the quantity of marijuana in your possession at the time of your arrest. Penalties range from 20 days in jail for a Class 3 misdemeanor to 120 days in jail for a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

Misdemeanor Possession of Paraphernalia

Possession of paraphernalia charges apply to anything that is used to grow, manufacture, test, sell, or transport illegal drugs. It also includes scales, baggies, pill bottles, grow lights, as well as anything used to consume illegal drugs including bowls, pipes, bongs, hookahs, and syringes. It is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to 120 days in jail.

Penalties for Various Schedules and Selling of Drugs

Below are the penalties for more straightforward charges without much variance, including Schedule specific charges, charges for intent to sell, and felony charges for specific drugs.

• Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule 5 Drugs: Possession of Schedule 5 drugs is charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to 60 days in jail.
• Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule 2 to 4 Drugs: Possession of Schedule 2 through Schedule 4 drugs is a class 1 misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to 120 days in jail.
• Felony Possession of Marijuana: Possession of a quantity of 1.5 ounces of marijuana or more is a Class I felony that carries a penalty of up to 24 months in prison.
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Drug: Possession of a Schedule 1 drug is classified as a Class I felony that carries a penalty of up to 24 months in prison.
• Sales of Schedule 1 or 2 Drugs: The sale of Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 drugs is classified as a Class G felony that carries a penalty of up to 47 months in prison.
• Sales of Schedule 3 through 6 Drugs: The sale of Schedules 3 through 6 drugs is classified as a Class H felony that carries a penalty of up to 39 months in prison.
• Possession with Intent to Sell Schedule 3 through 6 Drugs: Possession with intent to sell Schedules 3 through 6 drugs is a Class I felony that carries a penalty of up to 24 months in prison.
• Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver or Sale of Counterfeit Drugs: Possession with intent to sell and deliver or sale of counterfeit drugs is a Class I felony that carries a penalty of up to 24 months in prison.
• Manufacture of Methamphetamine: Manufacturing methamphetamine is a Class C felony that carries a penalty of up to 231 months (19.25 years) in prison.

If you have been arrested for drug crimes in Cornelius, North Carolina, you need the guidance of an experienced Cornelius drug crime attorney who can help you avoid the negative consequences that can have a long-term impact on your future. When you face drug charges with an experienced drug crime lawyer, you have a better chance of having your charges reduced or dropped.