Drug Attorney in Mesa, AZ

Fighting for the Best Possible Outcome for Defendants Facing Serious Charges

Drug crimes are among some of the most serious criminal charges a person can face under Arizona law. From simple possession to trafficking, drug offenses are typically prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If the government has charged you with such a crime, it’s important to understand your rights and options. Police officers and prosecutors are not your friends, and while they may promise leniency, the reality is that they simply want a conviction. Fortunately, it’s sometimes possible to avoid such an outcome. A Mesa drug lawyer may be able to help.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, our dedicated team of criminal defense attorneys work hard to secure favorable outcomes for each of our clients. When you visit our law office, a drug crime lawyer will go over your situation during an in-depth case review. We’ll help you understand the strength of the prosecution’s case, potential legal defenses, the legal implications of a conviction, and so much more. Our law firm has a proven track record of helping individuals facing the most serious criminal charges avoid severe penalties. We hope to do the same for you.

What Drug Crimes Can You Be Charged With Under Arizona Law?

There are various potential legal outcomes for those facing drug charges in Arizona. However, individual circumstances will dictate how the legal process plays out. One of the most important factors that comes into play in any case is the specific drug crime that a person is charged with in the legal system. It’s often the case that prosecutors will overcharge a crime in order to scare defendants into accepting a plea deal, but even if this is the case, it’s critical to take all drug charges seriously. The following are the most common drug crime criminal cases seen in Arizona courts:

Possession of a controlled substance: Knowingly possessing or using a controlled substance. Can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony
Possession with intent to distribute: Possessing drugs in an amount that indicates an intent to sell, or possessing certain items (e.g., scales, packaging materials. Penalties can sometimes reach 10 years or more in prison
Drug trafficking: Selling, transporting, or distributing controlled substances in large quantities. First offenses can result in over a decade in prison, and enhanced penalties are possible
Drug manufacturing: Preparing, compounding, pr producing controlled substances. This is a serious felony with potential prison sentences of over a decade
Drug paraphernalia possession: Possessing items used to produce, consume, or distribute drugs. Depending on context, it could be a felony or misdemeanor charge

The potential consequences of these charges will vary depending on the circumstances of your case. For instance, the commission of a violent crime during such crimes would be known as an aggravating factor, and this could result in additional charges or more serious consequences after conviction. Unfortunately, even those who escape the worst potential penalties will still deal with serious issues for years to come due to a public criminal record. Even a marijuana possession charge can hinder a person’s ability to secure housing, employment, education, and more.

The simple reality is that you should try to avoid conviction of any drug-related charge — no matter how minor or serious you may believe it to be. At The Turner Law Firm, you’ll work with a Mesa drug crimes defense attorney who won’t stop fighting for you. contact us today.

How Do Drug Possession Charges Vary Between Substances?

Criminal defense lawyers help clients facing a variety of drug charges in Arizona. When speaking with clients, they’re often asked why sentencing can vary so substantially with drug crime charges. The answer to this involves many factors, but the most important is typically the specific drug involved. There’s a large list of illegal drugs under state law, and some are considered far more serious than others. Drugs are classified someone on a scale ranging from one to five. Schedule I substances are considered the most dangerous drugs.

Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, peyote, and several other substances considered particularly serious under the law. Unfortunately, puritanical laws have also resulted in marijuana being listed as a Schedule I substance. The specific schedule that a drug falls under will dictate the seriousness of the crime a person is charged with — and thus, their potential sentencing for a conviction. For instance, drug possession of heroin would likely be a felony, but possession of Schedule III substances (e.g., ketamine, steroids) could be charged as a misdemeanor.

Under Arizona statutes, a misdemeanor conviction typically means a person will not face more than one year in jail. Unfortunately, it’s possible that drug crimes can be stacked — and several misdemanor convictions can result in sentencing that looks a lot like felony penalties. This is why all drug charges should be taken seriously. The legal community in our state is well-acquianted with how severe the state is when it comes to allegations involving illicit drugs, but at The Turner Law Firm, we’ll fight to help you avoid the consequence the government wants to impose. Contact us today.

What Should You Do When Charged With Crimes Involving Illegal Drugs?

Many people think that their defense strategy starts the moment they secure bail. In reality, it starts the moment that a police officer suspects you of a crime. Everything you do from this point forward will affect your ability to build a strong defense against the charges you’re facing. An experienced and seasoned attorney can do a lot to help you avoid severe penalties, but your actions will dictate how easily they can do their job. That’s why you should always abide by the following steps if you’re suspected, accused, or arrested for drug crimes in Arizona:

Stay calm and cooperate
Exercise your right to remain silent, only giving officers pertinent information (e.g., name, address)
Understand the charges against you
Request an attorney. This will end questioning, even if you’ve not yet obtained counsel
Document everything
Consider treatment or rehab (if recommended by your attorney)
Explore plea bargains with your lawyer
Prepare for court

Even if all hope seems lost, it’s important to never give up. The simple fact is that there’s no such thing as an “open and shut case.” There will be times when the evidence obtained against a defendant is all thrown out because of a simple mistake by police or prosecutors. There may also be instances, where an independent investigation by your Mesa, AZ drug crimes defense attorney will find evidence that the prosecution overlooked — or identify problems with the evidence the government claims to have. Fighting drug charges in Arizona can be a difficult task, but we’re here to assist.

The one thing you should never do is trust that police and prosecutors have your best interests in mind.

Should You Accept a Plea Deal?

There are a lot of different distinctions regarding drugs under the law. Charges could vary based on whether someone is facing prescription versus narcotic drugs charges — or based on how much of a substance someone was allegedly in possession of. Regardless of the specifics of your case, there’s a very good chance that prosecutors will offer you a plea deal. When they do this, it might be tempting to accept since the government often says they’ll reduce the charges. After all, wouldn’t a misdemeanor possession charge be better than felony drug possession charges?

While this is certainly true, it’s important that you don’t agree to anything without first speaking with a Mesa drug lawyer. Plea deals are an important part of the criminal justice system — resolving around 95% or more of all cases. However, they’re not appropriate in every situation. Even worse, prosecutors often abuse this element of the system. For instance, they may try to bring drug distribution charges for what should be a simple possession charge. Their hope is that defendants will be so scared that they’ll agree to a plea deal — pleading guilty to a crime they may not have even committed.

The simple fact is that there are a lot of innocent people facing criminal penalties that don’t deserve to be. While a plea deal may be right in your case, it’s best to let a drug crimes defense attorney in Mesa handle negotiations on your behalf. They can make sure the prosecution isn’t overstepping their authority when negotiating a deal. More importantly, an experienced attorney may be able to help you avoid a conviction altogether. At The Turner Law Firm, our trial lawyers are not afraid to take cases before a jury. We’ll work hard for the best possible outcome in your case.

What Is the Best Legal Defense Strategy for Drug Crimes?

Regardless of the severity of the drug case against you, it’s important to remember that you’re entitled to due process. This means you have the right to defend yourself against the charges you’re facing. More importantly, you have the presumption of evidence. This means that you don’t even have to present a defense — because it’s the state that has to prove you’re guilty. However, your Mesa drug lawyer will likely recommend a strategic defense strategy. When it comes to drug charges, the following defenses are frequently successful:

Unlawful or unreasonable searches
Lack of possession
Lack of intent
Drugs were for personal use rather than distributing
Entrapment
Constitutional violations
Valid prescription drugs
Lack of evidence
Chain of custody issues
Mistaken identity
Duress or coercion
False allegations
Double jeopardy
Statute of limitations

From drug possession to trafficking — and everything in between — you’re entitled to a fair defense. Many people opt to work with a public defender, but this very often results in unfortunate outcomes. These public servants have caseloads that are three times higher than the recommended average. They are often simultaneously dealing with dozens of cases — ranging from simple possession to drug trafficking charges, and other crimes like theft and murder. These overworked professionals cannot give your case the attention it rightfully deserves.

Fortunately, our drug crimes defense attorneys in Mesa, AZ can offer you such attention. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Contact an Experienced Drug Lawyer in Mesa, AZ Today

When the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office comes for someone, they will typically fight for the harshest penalties possible. In many cases, their job is made easier when defendants have prior convictions or are accused of aggravating factors. Sadly, prosecutors will even seek severe sentencing for crimes that are seemingly minor in nature — including those which aren’t even classified as crimes in some states. This is why anyone facing drug charges in Arizona should immediately seek legal assistance. This decision could literally dictate your future.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, we know what you’re up against. We know how scary it can be to face severe consequences under the law. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges, the ramifications of a conviction can follow you for years. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. Our Mesa, AZ drug crimes lawyers have extensive experience fighting against government allegations. We know what it takes to win these cases, and we’re dedicated to securing the best possible outcome for each and every one of our clients.

Contact us at (623) 253-8718 to schedule your in-depth case review today. We’ll be the aggressive advocate you need during these trying times.