Fighting Drug Crime Charges in Attleboro
What Are the Most Common Types of Drug Cases That Your Firm Handles?
I handle a wide variety of drug cases in both state and federal courts. The state court cases are the most common and can include cases that remain in district court, or cases that start off in district court but end up going to superior court. Whether a defendant’s case stays in district court or gets indicted to a superior court depends on the quantity of the drug involved and the type of drug involved, as well as any prior convictions for drug offenses. Those would either be Possession, Possession With Intent to Distribute, or Trafficking cases…
What Are the Potential Penalties or Sentencing Guidelines in Massachusetts for Drug-Related Convictions?
The potential penalties range widely depending on the charge, the drug involved, and the quantity. Simple possession of cocaine, for example, is a misdemeanor, which can carry up to one year in the house of correction. A second or subsequent offense for simple possession of cocaine carries up to two years. If you’re charged, however, with Possession With Intent to Distribute or Manufacture cocaine, then it’s a felony charge, and the penalty can range from two and half years in the house of correction to ten years in state prison. Certain subsections carry a one year of mandatory minimum. Second and subsequent offenses can go anywhere from ten to 15 years in state prison, with a mandatory minimum of two to three and a half years. The differences in sentencing all depend on what charge of Possession With Intent to Distribute you’re dealing with in terms of cocaine…
Decades Spent Serving Clients in Fall River & Surrounding Areas
If you are charged with a drug offense, you face serious consequences which could include loss of your license and mandatory minimum periods of incarceration. You may also face enhanced penalties for offenses that are alleged to have occurred in a school zone. The Law Office of James M. Caramanica, P.C. has successfully represented clients charged with both major and minor drug offenses. Call our firm today for a free consultation about what to do next.
Massachusetts Drug Possession Laws
It is illegal to be in the possession of a controlled substance without a medical prescription. The state defines “being in possession” as holding the drugs in your hand or pocket or knowingly being in control of the drugs, such as keeping them in your car or home. However, if heroin is the drug involved, it is a crime to knowingly be in the presence of the drug even if it does not belong to you. Granted, this is charged as a different, but similar, crime to drug possession.
The seriousness of a drug possession charge depends on which “class” the drug belongs to. The most dangerous types of drugs belong to Class A; crimes involving these drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and meth, carry the most severe penalties. The least serious class of drugs belong to Class E; crimes involving these drugs, such as marijuana, carry the least severe penalties.
Possession of a Class A drug is punishable by up to 2 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000. The penalties increase for subsequent convictions. Possession of a Class E drug is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of $500. Our firm’s Attleboro drug crimes lawyer can help defend you against drug crime charges and severe penalties. If you’ve been arrested for drug possession, do not hesitate to get in touch with our firm as soon as possible.
How We Can Help
Our team will review every aspect of the charges against you. We will also explore every potential defense available to you. Attorney James Caramanica has had considerable success in challenging the issuance of search warrants, the execution of search warrants, and the use of so-called confidential informants.
We can examine whether there was probable cause used to:
Stop or detain persons
Stop a vehicle
Arrest a person based on mere presence in a vehicle or at a location
Our team can go over all of the details of your case and give you a clear picture of the defenses available to you. Whether you were charged with possession or you were arrested for trafficking, count on the Law Office of James M. Caramanica, P.C. to stand by your side and fight for you.
Get Started Today
When you are faced with a decision about whether to take your case to trial or to try to negotiate a plea, Attorney James Caramanica will use his vast experience to explain all of the options available to you so you can make the most informed decision possible for your case. The sooner you get started, the more time we will have to develop a strong defense for your favorable outcome. Call now.
