Drug Attorney in Glendale, AZ

Experienced Legal Professionals Working for Favorable Client Outcomes

Anyone facing drug charges in Arizona likely has some difficult times ahead. Our state prides itself on having harsh penalties for these crimes, and at times, this means people can face unfair and excessive punishments. When this happens to an innocent person, it’s a travesty of the criminal justice system. However, even individuals who don’t feel like they’re innocent under the law are entitled to a legal defense. If you find yourself or a loved one facing criminal charges related to illegal drugs in Arizona, Glendale drug crime lawyers may be able to assist.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, you’ll work directly with a dedicated criminal defense lawyer whose focus is defending you. Our law firm can handle everything from simple drug possession to allegations of drug trafficking. Perhaps you were arrested after having prescription drugs found on you, or maybe the substance you’re accused of having is classified as a dangerous drug under Arizona law. Regardless of the circumstances of your situation, we will fight to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf. You need legal representation, so why not choose our experienced and dedicated legal team?

What Should You Know About Charges for Illegal Drugs Under Arizona Law?

If you’re arrested for a drug crime in Arizona, there are some important things you should know. Your legal counsel can advise you on your individual circumstances, but there are some essential facts that apply to everyone’s case. Most importantly, it’s critical to understand that not all drugs are seen as equal under state law — or U.S. law, if you’re facing allegations of federal drug crimes. Every substance that could result in criminal charges falls onto a spectrum of “schedules.” This categorization will have a major effect on the potential penalties of a conviction.

For instance, those charged with Schedule I drug crimes will face the most severe possible penalties. These drugs include heroin, ecstasy, LSD, and other substances with no accepted medical use. Unfortunately, marijuana falls into the category federally — so it’s possible to face federal criminal charges if the feds place you under arrest. Drug schedules go all the way to Schedule V, and this includes drugs with an accepted medical use and low likelihood of abuse. Potential penalties get increasingly more severe — all the way to extensive prison time — as you move up to Schedule I.

One of the most important jobs of Glendale drug crime lawyers is to work for reduced charges during plea negotiations. If a conviction is unavoidable, a plea deal that reduces penalties to be more on par with lesser schedules can be invaluable. However, schedules are not all that might matter. A threshold amount will also often come into play. Each substance has its own threshold level. For instance, surpassing a drug’s threshold amount for simple possession can result in intent to distribute charges — raising a Class 4 felony to a Class 2 felony. Due to these nuances, having legal counsel is critical.

How Can Criminal Defense Attorneys in Glendale Help?

Whether you’re accused of possessing limited quantities of a Schedule III drug or trafficking a Schedule I narcotic drug, working with a Glendale drug crime attorney is likely in your best interest. Even in situations where a conviction is unavoidable, they may be able to negotiate a plea bargain that results in a lighter sentence. However, it’s important to understand that the prosecution’s evidence may not be as strong as you believe. Even if it seems like you will be found guilty by going to trial, having a Glendale criminal defense attorney review your case can prove incredibly beneficial.

That’s because prosecutors are never going to be forthright about the strength of their case. In every instance, they’ll tell you that their evidence is overwhelming. They’ll claim that accepting a plea bargain is in your best interest. They may even threaten heightened charges or increased sentencing in your criminal case if you don’t accept a deal. However, none of this means that it’s impossible to have charges dismissed or secure an acquittal at trial. Former prosecutors can attest to the fact that simple mistakes on the part of police and other officials can render the most damning evidence irrelevant.

When you visit our law office, you’ll sit down with an experienced drug crime attorney in Glendale who understands what you’re up against. Our legal team has been able to argue lengthy prison sentences down to nothing more than probation and community service. Even better, we’ve secured charge dismissals and acquittals for clients who likely believed that alleged drug offenses were going to ruin their lives. Put simply, you should never assume that the prosecution’s evidence means you have no options. Contact our law firm today. We’ll help you understand how to best move forward.

What Are the Non-Legal Effects of Convictions for Drug Crimes?

The legal consequences of being convicted of drug crimes are very serious. Even first-time offenders convicted of possession can face prison time under Arizona law. This is why accused individuals are often so eager to accept a plea deal. When drug cases can result in incarceration in prison, why wouldn’t someone take a plea agreement that allows them to walk free? For one, it may be possible to avoid a conviction altogether. However, it’s also important to understand that the consequences of a conviction don’t merely exist in the legal realm.

Just consider all the potential indirect outcomes of having a criminal record for drug crimes:

Trouble finding housing
Employment issues
Loss of professional licensure
Immigration problems
Ineligibility for student loans
Social stigma
Academic rejection
Problems in family court (e.g., child custody cases)
Financial strains

The simple fact is that individuals with a criminal history are treated differently in society. Sometimes, this is built into our system — like when administrative hurdles are placed in front of people. In other situations, the repercussions are based on nothing more than how others view a person. Fortunately, this isn’t a reality that you have to accept. Proving guilt is the job of prosecutors, but the goal of our Glendale drug crime lawyers is to secure a beneficial outcome for each of our clients. If we can help you avoid a conviction, that’s exactly what we’ll do. Contact us today to learn more.

What Are the Best Legal Defense Strategies for Drug Crimes?

Over time, countless clients of criminal defense attorneys have learned that the legal system doesn’t work how most people believe. In reality, around 95% of cases are resolved via guilty pleas stemming from a plea bargain. That means the overwhelming majority of those accused are never able to make their case in court — even when they’re facing jail time. Every Glendale drug crimes attorney at our law firm believes this is a travesty, and that’s why our trial lawyers will not hesitate to take a case to trial when it’s the right thing to do.

Fortunately, there are plenty of effective legal strategies that can help defendants avoid conviction:

Illegal search and seizure
Other constitutional violations
The accused has a valid prescription
Procedural errors
Lack of possession
Entrapment
Lack of intent
Chain of custody issues
Insufficient evidence
Diversion programs

If you’ve been arrested for drug crimes in Maricopa County, the deck is certainly stacked against you. Sentencing can be harsh even for a first offense, and if aggravating factors exist, additional penalties are not uncommon. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. Our Glendale, Arizona drug crime attorneys are committed to helping our clients avoid serious disruption to their lives. We can help identify the most appropriate defense strategies in your case when taking an aggressive stance is the best option. Contact us today. We’re ready to help.

Contact a Drug Lawyer in Glendale, AZ Today

Imagine that you could talk to 100 different Glendale criminal defense lawyers. Every single one would tell you that there’s no such thing as an “open and shut” case — at least from the prosecution’s perspective. Reasonable doubt is a powerful thing, and if the government can’t overcome this evidentiary burden, then it would violate the tenets of our entire justice system to convict a defendant. Of course, we all know that our system is imperfect — and researchers suspect that between 5-15% of individuals incarcerated are actually innocent. This is an undeniable tragedy.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, our job is to stop such travesties from happening. To accomplish this, we provide a staunch, dedicated, and aggressive legal defense to every client who walks into our law office. Prior convictions, bad reputations, and even evidence cannot disregard the rules of law. If prosecutors can’t secure a conviction within the confines of statutory limits, then their target should not be convicted. This protects everyone in the system — both innocent and guilty alike — and that’s why you should have a Glendale drug crime attorney on your side when facing serious charges.