If you are charged with drug possession with intent to distribute in Arizona, the prosecutor in your case is going to do everything within their power to make sure that you’re convicted. Talk with a drug possession with intent to distribute lawyer in Tempe after your arrest. Your attorney can start building your legal defense right away.
Suzuki Law Offices is familiar with the legal challenges those charged with a drug crime in Arizona will face. Our team includes former prosecutors with years of experience.
We can learn about your arrest for drug possession with intent to distribute and explain your legal options in depth. For more information, consult with a Tempe federal drug crimes lawyer from our team.
Why You Should Get Legal Help if You’ve Been Charged with Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute
Drug possession with intent to distribute is a felony in Arizona and at the federal level. If you do nothing after getting arrested for this offense, you will receive criminal penalties that will stay with you for years. Alternatively, if you hire a drug possession with intent to distribute attorney in Tempe, you can fight back against your charge.
Your Tempe federal crimes lawyer can examine the facts of your case. They can gather evidence to support their argument. In addition, your attorney may consider how the prosecution will argue their case. Doing these things and many others can boost your chances of avoiding a conviction and the penalties that come with it.
At Suzuki Law Offices, we encourage you to take your drug possession with intent to distribute charge seriously. If you want legal help in the aftermath of your drug crime arrest, we’re here for you. Discuss your case with a Tempe criminal defense lawyer. We can give you insights into what to expect if you’re convicted of a drug crime and help you defend against a conviction.
Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute Penalties in Tempe That You Need to Know About
Per Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 13-3408, possessing narcotic drugs like heroin or fentanyl for sale is typically classified as a class 2 felony. You can receive a prison sentence of up to 10 years for a first offense. Also, you may get enhanced penalties if you’re a repeat offender or if a large quantity of an illegal drug is found in your possession.
Based on ARS § 13-3407, you may be charged with drug possession with intent to distribute if you are found with dangerous drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine.
If convicted for the first time, you may have to spend up to 12.5 years in prison. Penalties may be enhanced if you’ve been convicted of this crime more than once or possess a large quantity of a dangerous drug.
Most Arizona drug offenses don’t give you the option of receiving parole until you’ve served at least 85% of your prison sentence.
This means you may have to spend many years in prison before parole may become an option for you after your drug possession with intent to distribute conviction. Outside of prison time, you may have to pay substantial fines as well.
Collateral Consequences of a Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute Conviction
Getting convicted of a drug crime may continue to impact you long after you’ve served your prison time and paid your fines. Your Tempe drug possession with intent to distribute lawyer can teach you about the collateral consequences that may follow your criminal conviction.
These consequences can include:
- Difficulty buying a home or landing a job
- Loss of a professional license
- Loss of the right to vote
- Loss of the right to possess a firearm
- International travel restrictions
Your drug crimes attorney can answer frequently asked questions and any others you have regarding the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction and other case topics.
hey will work with you to prepare an argument that can make it tough for a prosecutor to prove that you should be punished to the full extent of the law.
How to Protect Against a Conviction for Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute
Choose a criminal defense attorney with relevant case experience to serve as your legal advocate and representative. Look at a lawyer’s client reviews, as these can give you a glimpse into what it’s like to have this attorney on your side.
Ideally, your lawyer can put together a legal defense specifically for your case. Legal strategies that your lawyer may utilize include:
Unaware of Drugs in Your Possession
The police arrest you after they find drugs in your car, home, or another shared space. Your lawyer may explain to the court that these drugs were not yours and that you had no idea that they were there.
If the prosecution can’t prove that you were in possession of these drugs and planned to distribute them, the court may have no choice but to dismiss the case against you.
Lack of Circumstantial Evidence
To prove intent to distribute drugs, a prosecutor may rely on scales, packaging materials, a large amount of cash, or other circumstantial evidence found at the time of your arrest. If no such proof exists, it becomes exceedingly difficult for a prosecutor to show that you intended to distribute drugs.
Violation of Your Constitutional Rights
Police officers may pull your car over for no reason and arrest you. Or, when police officers arrest you, they may not read your Miranda rights.
In these situations and similar ones, your lawyer may describe to the court that your constitutional rights were breached. This can prompt the suppression of evidence that the prosecution had planned to use in their case.
Your attorney may negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution on your behalf. With a plea deal, you may have the option to agree to a simple drug possession charge.
Yet, if you accept a plea agreement, you will receive lesser penalties than the ones you would receive if you were convicted of drug possession with intent to distribute.
Ask for Legal Guidance From a Tempe Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute Lawyer
Suzuki Law Offices is dedicated to our clientele. We can help you with your legal matters after your arrest for drug possession with intent to distribute. Let a Tempe drug possession with intent to distribute attorney from our team fight for your future.
Contact us today to get started.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form