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DRUG CRIMES ATTORNEYS PREVENTING MAXIMUM CHARGES THAT HINDER YOUR FUTURE

More than 1.5 million people were arrested in 2019 for drug offenses. This is more than any other criminal category and accounts for one in 10 arrests. Drug abuse costs the nation more than $120 billion annually in lost productivity, reduced labor participation, incarceration, premature mortality, and hospitalization, per verywellmind.com.

The manufacturing and distribution of drugs are hazardous to the masses because of the harmful chemicals involved in the production process. The people in charge of drug operations typically face lengthy prison terms.

There are six common types of drug charges, including:

  • Possession of marijuana
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Possession of a controlled substance
  • Delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute
  • Illegal manufacturing of a controlled substance
  • Drug trafficking

Ohio has some of the harshest penalties for individuals facing drug crimes, drug possession, and drug trafficking. There is a strong push from the state to punish people convicted of drug crimes as a deterrent severely. A drug crime conviction in Ohio will likely mean years behind bars and thousands of dollars in fines.

Here at Ernst & Associates, LLC, we pride ourselves on solid defenses against drug charges. We know what to expect from the prosecution on drug charge cases. If you’ve been charged with a drug crime, we can put our experience to work to protect your rights, future, and freedom.

WHAT IS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE?

A drug or other substance that is controlled by the government and federal law because it might be abused or cause addiction is a controlled substance. The government controls how substances are made, for what application, and how they are handled, stored, and distributed.

Controlled substances include opioids, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and anabolic steroids. A licensed medical professional may only prescribe certain substances for medical use and pain management, including morphine, Valium, and Ritalin.

There are five schedules of controlled substances known as schedules I, II, III, IV, and V. The schedules determine the abuse potential of the illegal substances.

Nearly 75 percent of drug overdose deaths in 2020 stemmed from opioid use. Imagine selling a person an opioid to find out they overdosed and died. Not only will this result in possible jail time, but it’s also something you must live with for the rest of your life.

Marijuana is another controlled substance. It is illegal to use it recreationally, though it’s legal to use marijuana for medical purposes such as pain management when prescribed by a licensed Ohio medical professional.

The possession or distribution of controlled substances can lead to serious drug crime convictions. Get the legal representation you need after an arrest or drug offense charge and book a free consultation with Ernst & Associates, LLC and our criminal defense attorneys.

WILL I GET IN TROUBLE FOR USING MARIJUANA?

Recreational weed is illegal in Ohio. You cannot use, purchase, possess, sell, distribute or produce recreational cannabis products without penalty or legal ramifications.

As more and more states have loosened their stance on marijuana usage, people often mistake that the laws have changed in Ohio. It is still illegal to possess, use or traffic marijuana in Ohio. All plant parts and any compound or mixture made from any part of the marijuana plant are also illegal.

If you travel to Ohio in possession of cannabis from a state where marijuana is legal, you are still subject to Ohio law. Because the drug is still illegal at both state and federal levels, you can still be subject to jail time, fines, and even federal charges. We can defend you against charges such as:

  • Drug possession
  • Drug trafficking
  • Producing or growing marijuana
  • Delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute
  • Possession of marijuana paraphernalia

The severity of charges and sentencing depends on factors such as whether it was a first offense, the proximity of the arrest to a school, the amount of marijuana in possession, and whether the accused had a firearm or weapon at the time of the arrest.

When you are facing a drug crime conviction due to a drug offense, our criminal defense attorneys can represent you and protect your rights. Contact our law firm to discuss your case.

IF I GET CAUGHT WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT AREN’T MINE, WILL I GO TO JAIL?

Possession of prescription drugs is a common offense in Ohio. It’s an epidemic all its own, as the number one cause of crime in Ohio is opioid addiction. According to sources, an estimated 200,000 people in Ohio suffer from addiction, nearly double the national average. Our state has the highest rates of overdose deaths in the industry.

Common examples of prescription drugs many individuals get caught in the Cincinnati area include Vicodin, Morphine, Percocet, OxyContin, Xanax, Valium, Clonazepam, Hydrocodone, Ativan, Oxycodone, and Lortab.

The state must ensure dangerous prescription drugs stay out of the hands and homes of the wrong people as they can cause severe adverse reactions. These adverse reactions can lead to harmful events, and some may be life-threatening.

It’s best to avoid handling anyone else’s prescription drugs or dealing with them, as your life is on the line if someone gets hurt.

In Ohio, you can be charged with possession if caught with a prescription drug that is not yours. The severity of charges depends on the drug’s addictiveness and how much was in your control at the time of the arrest. A previous conviction on drug charges will also result in a more severe charge order.

We can help you fight the charges against you, whether your first offense or third. By putting our experience and knowledge to work for you, we will fight to reduce the costs or possibly get the drug charges dropped altogether. Contact our law firm to discuss your charges.

CAN I PICK ANY ATTORNEY TO HELP WITH MY DRUG CHARGES?

There’s a relationship between illegal drug abuse and drug crimes in Ohio and many other states. Drug use and possession result in nearly one million arrests every year. Almost two-thirds of DWI offenders have previously abused drugs, including marijuana, as another example of this unfortunate connection.

Possession of prescription drugs falls under the Ohio Revised Code statute of possession of controlled substances (ORC 2925.11), which prohibits anyone from knowingly obtaining, possessing, or using a controlled substance.

It’s a dangerous game to possess, distribute and manufacture drugs, and the prosecution will not hold back in sentencing you to the maximum penalties because of the significant safety risks involved.

If law enforcement discovers that you have drugs in your possession or prescription drugs without a valid prescription, you could face severe penalties depending on how addictive the drugs or sedatives are. When you sell drugs and someone gets hurt, you could face serious charges.

When you need a strong defense against drug crime convictions, consider the experience of our criminal defense attorneys with Ernst & Associates, LLC. If you are facing drug charges, choose a skilled and dedicated legal team to defend you. Call our Cincinnati office at 513-548-5544 or send us an email to schedule a free consultation today.