ANCHORAGE DRUG CRIME ATTORNEYS
Drug possession is a crime in which a person has illegal drugs in one’s possession, with the intent to either use the drugs, distribute them, sell them, or export them. Depending on the type of drug you have been caught with, the penalty you will have to pay, or the time you will receive, penalties will depend on whether you are convicted.
The statute that regulates federal drug use is the Controlled Substances Act. The federal Controlled Substances Act makes it a crime to manufacture, import, possess, use, and distribute certain drugs.
The reason why drug offences are treated as they are within the criminal justice system is due to a number of factors. One of the greatest factors in harsh sentences for drug offences comes down to the risk to public health that drugs pose. As drugs cause instability, poverty, and crime in many communities, prosecution of drug offences are often handled as issues of public safety.
If you have been charged with a drug crime and this is your third felony drug offence involving amounts of drugs that constitute as top-level offences, a mandatory life sentence is imposed without the possibility of release. Under the Controlled Substance Act, conspiracy and attempt to sell offences carry the same penalty as the underlying offence that you have been charged with.
As there are multiple levels of drug offences, the main offences that are most common are noted below.
Heroin
If you have been charged with the unlawful distribution, possession with intent to distribute, or with manufacturing, importing, or exporting drugs, you could face up to 20 years and/or a fine of $1-5 million if you have been caught with less than 100 grams of heroin. If it is your second offence and you have been caught with 100 grams to 1 kg of heroin, you could face up 10 years to life and/or a $4-$10 million dollar fine.
Cocaine
If you have been charged with the unlawful distribution, possession with intent to distribute, or with manufacturing, importing or exporting cocaine, and its your first offence, you could face up to 20 years if you have been found with less than 5g of cocaine. If you have been caught with 50 grams or more, you could face a penalty of $4-$10 million dollars and/or 10 years to life in prison.
LSD
With respect to LSD, you could face 10 years to life if you have been caught with 10 grams or more, and it is your first offence. If it is your second offence with LSD, and you have been caught with 10 grams or more, you could be facing 20 years to life.
Marijuana
As marijuana has been legalized in Alaska, marijuana use is no longer criminalized and users may use the drug so long as they are of the age of 21 years or older. The other caveat with marijuana is that it must not be used in public places.
Other important points to note with Alaska’s cannabis law include the section of the law that states that you cannot have more than 1 ounce of marijuana on your person, and nor can you harvest more than 4 ounces in your home. It should be noted that while Alaska has legalized marijuana, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule 1 narcotic, meaning that using it in other states where it is not legalized, makes it a federal crime.
Defense Against Drug Charges
Regardless of whether you have been charged with marijuana possession, crystal method, cocaine, or any other drug, If you have been arrested or charged with a drug crime, you will want an experienced, assertive and knowledgeable lawyer to protect your constitutional rights. The consequences of a conviction can be severe and long-lasting. In addition to fines and jail time, you could put your current employment at risk and disqualify yourself from working in certain occupations.
At the Law Office of Dattan Scott Dattan, we have protected the rights of Alaskans since 1984. We have a well-earned reputation for providing straightforward and honest counsel to people involved in criminal cases. Attorney D. Scott Dattan is frequently assigned criminal cases that other lawyers have found too difficult to handle.
Alaska Drug Possession Defense Lawyer
We aggressively defend the rights of people charged with drug offenses. When you hire us, we will immediately go to work, gathering and assessing all relevant evidence. We will interview all witnesses in your case and review police reports, so that we have a solid understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your case. We will also prepare and file all documents required by the court, and will be your advocate in all hearings and proceedings, including plea negotiations.
We handle all types of drug prosecutions in state and federal court, including cases involving allegations of:
- Simple possession or possession with intent to sell
- Sale, distribution or trafficking
- Manufacture or cultivation
- Drug conspiracy or racketeering
We take cases involving all types of controlled substances, from marijuana and cocaine to heroin and crystal meth. We represent individuals in misdemeanor and felony drug cases.
We are familiar with the differences in state and federal drug laws, and can help you take the right steps to minimize the risk of forfeiture of property under federal drug statutes.
Contact A Drug Crimes Lawyer At The Law Offices Of D Scott Dattan
To arrange a private meeting with our Anchorage drug crime lawyers, contact our office by email or call us toll free at (907) 276-8008. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.