Why do I need a lawyer for a drug charge?

A drug charge in Maryland isn’t a minor issue but rather a major legal problem. If convicted, you could be facing jail time, among other consequences. Defending against drug charges effectively requires extensive knowledge of the law and legal process. You need to fully understand evidence-gathering procedures and the burden of proof the prosecution must meet to convict you—and how to develop a compelling defense, backed by the evidence, that utilizes this knowledge in your favor. A seasoned Maryland drug crime lawyer is a valuable asset to have on your side in a legal matter in which your freedom is on the line.

What are the potential consequences of drug charges in Maryland?

The consequences of drug charges in Maryland vary by the type and degree of the charge against you. In general, defendants accused of drug crimes could face penalties that include jail time, fines, and probation. While the lowest levels of drug offenses don’t mandate jail time, some such charges could send you to jail for up to one year (for marijuana possession between 10g and 50 pounds) or up to four years (for possession of any amount of other drugs). If convicted of manufacturing, selling, or possessing drugs in large quantities with the intent to distribute, you could face up to 20 years in prison or potentially even longer sentences for repeat offenses. When such charges involve possession of a specified amount of drugs, you might be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. Fines can amount to $20,000 for the possession of hallucinogenics, $25,000 for the possession of drugs like heroin and cocaine, and $100,000 for the possession of drugs in amounts that characterize you as a volume dealer. In addition to the official penalties imposed for a drug crime conviction, the consequences of having a criminal record range from infringing on your career development to limiting housing options and even straining your relationship with your family.

Are drug charges felonies or misdemeanors in Maryland?

In Maryland, drug crimes can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending on factors like the type of offense and the drug involved. Generally, charges involving possession are less serious than those involving the distribution or manufacture of drugs, and possession charges involving marijuana pose less severe penalties than those involving other types of drugs. While felonies are generally more serious crimes than misdemeanors, you should hire a knowledgeable attorney to represent you against drug charges regardless of whether those charges are felonies or misdemeanors. Misdemeanor drug convictions can still result in prison sentences and other serious penalties.

What should I do when charged with a drug crime?

If you have been charged with any type of drug crime, you need effective legal counsel on your side as soon as possible. Don’t agree to speak to law enforcement until you have consulted an attorney. Don’t attempt to hide or dispose of any potential evidence, which could get you in further trouble. Raise all concerns and questions with your attorney and allow us to take charge of your case and begin developing a robust defense strategy for you.

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Maryland Drug Crime Lawyers

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Drug Offense Attorneys in Maryland Committed to Defending Clients Against Drug-Related Charges in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Maryland
Drug Crime Charges in Maryland
How Maronick Law LLC Can Help You Beat Drug Crime Charges
Why Choose Maronick Law LLC as Your Maryland Drug Crime Lawyers?
Contact the Experienced Maryland Drug Crime Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for a Free Consultation

Drug Offense Attorneys in Maryland Committed to Defending Clients Against Drug-Related Charges in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Maryland

In Maryland, underestimating the impact of possession and other drug charges is a big mistake. A drug crime conviction has the potential to severely impact every part of your life. To minimize these consequences, you need professional guidance and strong legal representation from the start. The Maryland drug crime lawyers at Maronick Law LLC are here to serve as your guides, advocates, and defenders.

Contact us today for assistance with every aspect of your drug charges case, from help understanding the charges against you to creating the best plan of action to attain a favorable resolution. The initial consultation is free and confidential.

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Drug Crime Charges in Maryland

Maryland takes drug crimes seriously, criminalizing a number of different drug-related offenses under state law. Even for a first offense of one of the least serious violations, possession, you could be facing jail time if convicted.

The guidance of experienced criminal defense attorneys in Maryland is a must for avoiding or minimizing the severe penalties of a drug charge. Maronick Law LLC has a history of successfully representing the accused against charges like the following.

Drug Possession

While Maryland has decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis (marijuana), you can still get into serious trouble for violating restrictions on allowable possession of cannabis, as well as possession of other types of drugs.

Our drug offense attorneys in Maryland represent clients accused of possession of drugs such as:

Cocaine
Heroin
Morphine
Opium
Methamphetamine
LSD
PCP

We also defend clients whose alleged possession of marijuana violates state restrictions, including:

Underage possession (under 21)
Amounts in excess of the state-established personal use amount (generally, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, 750 mg of THC, or 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower)
Transportation of cannabis across state lines
Possession of cannabis on federal land

Depending on the type and amount of drug you are charged with possessing, a conviction could result in significant jail time. Legal assistance is crucial for achieving a favorable resolution to drug possession charges.

Possession With Intent to Distribute

If the quantity of drugs you’re accused of possessing exceeds the state’s personal use amount, you could be charged with the crime of possession with intent to distribute. Distributing drugs remains a serious matter, and this charge carries more serious potential penalties than simple possession charges. Whether the intent alleged by the prosecutor is to sell or give away the drug, you could face years behind bars if convicted.

Drug Distribution

Charges arising out of drug sales and trafficking in Maryland are serious legal matters. For certain drugs, like heroin, cocaine, and hallucinogenics, a conviction could result in up to 20 years of incarceration.

Even distributing cannabis when you’re not a licensed dispensary is illegal. Depending on the volume of marijuana you’re accused of distributing (or allegedly possessing with the intent to distribute), you could receive a five-year mandatory minimum sentence if convicted.

Marijuana/Cannabis Cultivation

Although legislative changes enacted in 2023 legalize the growing of marijuana plants at home, there are restrictions, including:

An age limit (21 and older)
Limits on the number of plants permitted per household (generally two unless grown by a registered medical patient)
Growing environment restrictions (out of public view)

Cultivating cannabis can still lead to criminal charges if you are accused of violating these restrictions.

Drug Manufacturing

Manufacturing other drugs besides cannabis, like methamphetamine, is illegal in Maryland and potentially punishable by up to 20 years of incarceration, even for a first offense. For repeat offenses, a conviction could potentially send a defendant to jail for up to 40 years.

If you’re charged with drug manufacturing based on substances, tools, or equipment in your possession, you may need the assistance of experienced Maryland drug crime lawyers to help you establish non-criminal explanations for possessing those ingredients or equipment.

Prescription Drug Charges

Violations involving purely recreational drugs aren’t the only types of drug offenses under Maryland law. Drug crimes also encompass offenses involving prescription drugs, including:

Possessing prescription drugs for which you don’t have a valid prescription
Carrying a prescription drug on your person without proof of prescription
Illegally obtaining prescription drugs, including through fraud or doctor shopping
Dispensing, selling, or distributing prescription drugs illegally or without a valid prescription

When facing any type of controlled substance charge, consult trusted Maryland drug crime lawyers like Maronick Law LLC immediately. The stakes are far too high to risk making early mistakes, missing out on the advantages of professional legal guidance, and delaying the investigation of your case and preparation of your defense strategy.

Addressing Legal Challenges of Marijuana Dispensaries

As cannabis laws have evolved in Maryland, a legalized marijuana business industry has developed. From the opening of a licensed dispensary through its ongoing operations, owners and managers in the cannabis industry often need legal advice and advocacy as they navigate issues involved in the growing of marijuana and the manufacture and dispensing of cannabis products.

In addition to providing cannabis-related defense services, Maronick Law LLC can provide the knowledge and tools enabling your dispensary to proactively comply with regulations and stay out of trouble with the law. We are committed to protecting our clients who open and run licensed cannabis dispensaries and, in the case of legal challenges, providing aggressive representation to avoid citations, penalties, and enforced closure of licensed shops.

How Maronick Law LLC Can Help You Beat Drug Crime Charges

It’s essential that you confront these charges with a strong strategy and compelling defenses. Maronick Law LLC is ready to be your advocate, fighting for the best attainable outcome.

Defenses to Drug Charges

A number of potential defenses could help you avoid a conviction or mitigate the consequences of criminal drug charges. Crafting a strategy that fits your needs and circumstances requires a thorough review of the unique facts of your situation, including the evidence against you and evidence in your favor. Our Maryland drug crime lawyers have extensive experience and proven success in creating defense strategies custom-tailored to the individual needs of each client.

The types of drug charge defenses we may consider in building your strategy include the following.

Mistaken Identity

A mistaken identity defense might argue that the evidence or process through which you were identified as the perpetrator of a drug crime is inaccurate. In presenting this defense, your attorney might put forward an alibi that establishes that you couldn’t have been where the prosecution says you were at the time of the alleged violation or highlight inconsistencies in the testimony of a supposed witness that linked you to the crime.

Mistaken Substance

Misunderstandings can occur, leading to drug charges when the substance involved isn’t actually an illegal substance at all. Establishing that no such drug offense occurred may require thorough analysis of the substance in question. Our team can also assist with addressing questions about the validity of such an analysis or the handling of evidence.

Lack of Knowledge or Intent

Drug charges often require the prosecution to establish the defendant’s knowledge of drug possession or their intent to manufacture or distribute the drug. A defense strategy might present evidence in support of arguments that you didn’t knowingly possess an illegal drug or that you had no intent to manufacture or distribute controlled substances.

Entrapment

In some drug crime cases, entrapment, or being induced to commit the crime you would otherwise not have committed by law enforcement officers, can constitute a defense. This defense might apply if, for example, an undercover officer manipulated, harassed, or repeatedly tried to solicit from a defendant the sale of illegal drugs.

Evidence Obtained Through Improper Procedures

It is not uncommon for law officers to make mistakes during an investigation or arrest, especially when it comes to charges of drug possession. If the evidence against you was obtained during an illegal search or seizure or handled in ways that deviate from established procedures, we may be able to get that evidence suppressed or even push for the dismissal of all charges.

Weaknesses and Inconsistencies in the Prosecution’s Case

The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction on a drug charge. Any effective arguments your drug offense attorneys in Maryland can make to cast doubt on or expose weaknesses in the case against you can undermine the prosecutor’s ability to achieve this goal.

At Maronick Law LLC, our attorneys are skilled at recognizing questionable tactics and discrepancies in a case. Your defense strategy might include the following:

Highlighting the inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence
Challenging the credibility of an eyewitness with a questionable motive
Otherwise demonstrating the areas in which the case against you falls short of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

With an attorney who is committed to aggressively defending your rights, it’s possible to put up a strong defense to drug charges. An effective defense not only increases the likelihood of a not-guilty trial verdict but may even persuade the prosecutor to offer a favorable plea deal or drop the charges entirely due to the lack of evidence needed to realistically secure a conviction.

Mitigating Factors

Your attorney may also identify mitigating factors and use these factors to make a case for reducing your charges, allowing entry to diversion programs, or assigning lesser or alternative sentences in the event of a conviction.

Our Approach to Effective Defenses for Drug Crime Charges

The experienced Maryland drug crime lawyers at Maronick Law LLC always aim for the best result possible and put in the work to achieve that outcome. We’ll create a robust defense specifically crafted to fit your needs and reflect the evidence we uncover through a thorough investigation. Our team is equipped to handle even the most complex drug charge cases and has a long history of developing creative solutions to legal issues.

Why Choose Maronick Law LLC as Your Maryland Drug Crime Lawyers?

When you’re looking for experienced and resilient legal defense counsel with proven results, look no further than Maronic Law LLC.

Decades of Combined Experience

The team of Maronick Law LLC has a combined 80 years of experience defending clients against drug crime charges and other serious violations.

Proven Results

Our long history of success includes helping numerous clients beat drug charges or minimize sentences.

Individualized Defense Strategies

We consider each and every client we represent to be our most important client. Throughout your case, we’ll treat you as an individual, prioritizing a customized defense strategy that aligns with your unique needs, concerns, and situation.

Local Ties and Convenient Office Locations

Our team serves all of Maryland and has extensive experience practicing criminal defense law statewide.

With offices throughout the state, we offer high-quality, convenient representation for clients charged with drug crimes anywhere in Maryland, including Glen Burnie, Baltimore, Ocean City, Harford, and Towson.

Contact the Experienced Maryland Drug Crime Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for a Free Consultation

Drug charges can change everything, but a strong defense offers you hope to minimize these consequences and preserve life as you know it.

For help from drug offense attorneys in Maryland, contact Maronick Law LLC online or call us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Crimes Charges in Maryland

A drug charge in Maryland isn’t a minor issue but rather a major legal problem. If convicted, you could be facing jail time, among other consequences. Defending against drug charges effectively requires extensive knowledge of the law and legal process. You need to fully understand evidence-gathering procedures and the burden of proof the prosecution must meet to convict you—and how to develop a compelling defense, backed by the evidence, that utilizes this knowledge in your favor.
A seasoned Maryland drug crime lawyer is a valuable asset to have on your side in a legal matter in which your freedom is on the line.
The consequences of drug charges in Maryland vary by the type and degree of the charge against you. In general, defendants accused of drug crimes could face penalties that include jail time, fines, and probation.
While the lowest levels of drug offenses don’t mandate jail time, some such charges could send you to jail for up to one year (for marijuana possession between 10g and 50 pounds) or up to four years (for possession of any amount of other drugs). If convicted of manufacturing, selling, or possessing drugs in large quantities with the intent to distribute, you could face up to 20 years in prison or potentially even longer sentences for repeat offenses. When such charges involve possession of a specified amount of drugs, you might be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
Fines can amount to $20,000 for the possession of hallucinogenics, $25,000 for the possession of drugs like heroin and cocaine, and $100,000 for the possession of drugs in amounts that characterize you as a volume dealer.
In addition to the official penalties imposed for a drug crime conviction, the consequences of having a criminal record range from infringing on your career development to limiting housing options and even straining your relationship with your family.
In Maryland, drug crimes can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending on factors like the type of offense and the drug involved. Generally, charges involving possession are less serious than those involving the distribution or manufacture of drugs, and possession charges involving marijuana pose less severe penalties than those involving other types of drugs.
While felonies are generally more serious crimes than misdemeanors, you should hire a knowledgeable attorney to represent you against drug charges regardless of whether those charges are felonies or misdemeanors. Misdemeanor drug convictions can still result in prison sentences and other serious penalties.
If you have been charged with any type of drug crime, you need effective legal counsel on your side as soon as possible. Don’t agree to speak to law enforcement until you have consulted an attorney. Don’t attempt to hide or dispose of any potential evidence, which could get you in further trouble. Raise all concerns and questions with your attorney and allow us to take charge of your case and begin developing a robust defense strategy for you.