Drug Crimes

Representing Individuals Facing Drug Charges

Drug crimes include several offenses, including possession of drugs for personal use or sale, possession of drug paraphernalia, cultivation of marijuana, transporting drugs for sale, being under the influence of drugs, and more. The sentences for drug crimes can vary wildly, from court-mandated rehabilitation to life in prison, depending on the severity of the offense.

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Types of Drug Crimes

At The Sills Law Firm, we have 20+ years of combined experience in the legal field, and can effectively fight the drug charges that have been brought against you. The fact of the matter is that law enforcement officials are prone to making mistakes and outright breaking the law in order to conduct a drug investigation and make an arrest.

Our Connecticut drug crime lawyers will thoroughly investigate the details of your case, determine if any statements or physical evidence are inadmissible if warrants used were valid, and if you were stopped and searched illegally. By conducting a detailed review of the circumstances, we have been able to help numerous clients have their charges reduced or dropped altogether.

Have you been charged with one of the following drug crimes?

• Possession
• Possession with intent to sell or distribute
• Distribution
• Sale
• Manufacturing
• Cultivation

Penalties for Drug Crimes in Connecticut

The state of Connecticut takes drug crimes very seriously and imposes severe penalties for convictions. From the mere act of possession to sale or intent to sell, many drug crimes are considered felonies. In addition to this, if you were charged with possession or sale in a school zone, you could be facing mandatory jail time. With the potential of time in jail or prison, costly fines, probationary restrictions, and a permanent record at stake, it is absolutely crucial to retain the services of experienced Connecticut drug crime lawyers to handle your case.

Common Defenses for Drug Charges

A criminal defense lawyer will be able to determine the best arguments for your defense. The following strategies are common defenses for drug-related cases.

THE 4^TH AMENDMENT

The 4^th Amendment is constitutional protection from unlawful search and seizure of your belongings, including your home and vehicle. You have the right to refuse your consent to a search of your person, vehicle, or residence. With probable cause, the officer may still be able to search you or your vehicle, but withholding consent protects you from incriminating yourself. Additionally, you will want to exercise your right to remain silent as well.

If you have refused to consent to a search, your attorney may argue that any evidence seized during a search was unlawfully obtained, and cannot be used in a case against you. The laws surrounding search and seizure are complex, however, and a skilled criminal lawyer can help interpret them.

OWNERSHIP OF THE DRUGS

An experienced attorney may also require prosecutors to prove that the evidence found actually belonged to the accused, rather than another driver of the vehicle or a passenger in the car.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Connecticut legalized medical marijuana in 2012. It may be enough to clear the charges if you are able to show a clear, convincing medical need. Connecticut requires medical marijuana users to register with the state, so it is worth seeking out a proper diagnosis and recommendation from your physician. This defense is not a possible defense in federal court, as federal law does not allow any type of legal marijuana use.

ENTRAPMENT

Entrapment occurs when law enforcement officials set up a suspect to commit a crime they might not have otherwise committed, such as pressuring them to pass drugs to a third party. If the state provided the drugs used for the operation, it is frequently considered entrapment.

PRODUCING THE EVIDENCE

Often, with drug-related evidence, it will go through several transfers before ending up in an evidence locker. Your lawyer may push the prosecuting attorney to produce the evidence in court. If the drugs are lost or misplaced and are unable to be produced, the case might be thrown out.

CRIME LAB ANALYSIS

Your lawyer may ask that the prosecutor have the evidence subjected to a thorough analysis by a crime lab to prove that it is actually what the prosecutor says it is. This can cause delays as the analysis is processed, and will require the lab analyst to come to court to testify.

Fighting for You Through Negotiations or in Court

Even the most minor drug conviction on your criminal record can have a long-lasting impact on your ability to find employment, obtain government assistance, get into schools, and more. Our team of Connecticut drug crime attorneys is well-aware of the potential consequences. Whether through negotiations or in a court of law, we will do everything in our power to fight for the outcome you need.