Every aspect of selling, using, or dealing drugs can come with some sort of criminal charge. Possession, trafficking, manufacturing, and distribution of charges are all different and can result in different sentencing times and fines. Understanding your individual charges can be difficult without legal counsel. To review your charges and learn more about your options, consider working with a Waynesville drug crime lawyer.
From DWI charges to drug charges, the attorneys at Edwards Law, PLLC have worked with a variety of clients facing many different types of charges. Their unique experience with the Waynesville courts can be advantageous for your case. The attorneys at Edwards Law, PLLC, are committed to learning the full details about your situation and devising a solid strategy to help defend your case.
Certain drug crimes like drug trafficking also come with mandatory sentencing requirements. In some cases, however, these requirements can be avoided due to the new First Step Act that was signed in 2020. You must meet the following criteria to qualify:
The First Step Act can be helpful for first-time defendants to avoid steep prison sentences, but it also has quite a few stipulations that can be difficult to determine on your own. To figure out if your case qualifies for the First Step Act, contact a criminal defense attorney today.
An attorney can help you with critical aspects of your case, like gathering evidence and witnesses and creating a defense strategy to help convince the court of your innocence. It is not legally necessary to hire an attorney, but doing so can help create confidence and a more positive outcome for your drug charge.
While there are some exceptions, most drug crime charges are felony offenses. Felonies are serious and come with severe limitations, including:
• Removing your right to vote
• Revoking your permission to use firearms
• Limiting your opportunities for housing, employment, and schooling
Consequences like these mean that drug crimes should not be taken lightly. To learn more about how you might be able to reduce a felony drug charge, contact a Waynesville criminal defense attorney today. At Edwards Law, PLLC, we strive to offer professional support in a compassionate manner to make our clients feel confident about their cases.
There are often minimum sentencing requirements for drug trafficking depending on how much of the drug was found and how dangerous the drug is considered based on Waynesville law. In most cases, drug trafficking charges result in a mandatory 25-225 months of prison. There are some exceptions to this in which probation is possible, but it is helpful to contact a qualified criminal defense attorney to understand if probation can apply to your situation.
Drug possession charges in Waynesville are often lighter than other forms of drug charges like drug trafficking or drug manufacturing. However, exact charges can vary based on how dangerous the drug is and how much of the drug was possessed. Most drug possession charges involve at least some kind of jail sentence and fines. To learn more about charges, talk about your case with a drug crimes attorney.
The mandatory minimum sentences for drugs depend on the type of charge, the type of drug, and how much of it was found. A charge like drug possession will often have a lighter minimum sentence than a charge like drug trafficking or manufacturing. In addition, Schedule I drugs like heroin, opiates, and ecstasy carry higher sentences than Schedule V and VI drugs like marijuana and cough syrup with drugs like codeine.
A simple possession charge in Waynesville usually applies to a minor marijuana charge. North Carolina, just like other states, has attempted to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Simple marijuana possessions are usually misdemeanors and often do not result in any jail sentence, but they still have consequences that can adversely affect you. For advice on simple possession charges, contact a criminal defense attorney.
Even if you are only facing a misdemeanor charge, it can sometimes come with jail time, fines, and other consequences. These effects only get worse with a felony. It is important to take these charges seriously by contacting a criminal defense attorney. Schedule a consultation with Edwards Law, PLLC, for more information on your case and what your next steps might look like.