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Drug paraphernalia is a legal term that defines any equipment, product, or altered item used to make, consume, or conceal drugs. For example, someone doing heroin may use a bent spoon. Depending on the situation, paraphernalia charges are treated relatively leniently. However, there are times when these charges could be more serious.
If you are facing drug paraphernalia charges, you should obtain the services of a seasoned drug defense attorney. A dedicated DC drug paraphernalia lawyer could advocate for you and help your case.
A drug paraphernalia charge carries a minimum of 90 days in jail and a maximum of 180 days. The defendant could also be facing up to $1,000 in fines and probation. The penalties of a drug conviction could impact a person’s personal and professional life, as well. Therefore, it is essential for a defendant to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney in DC could help an individual get their drug paraphernalia charges reduced or dropped.
With a paraphernalia charge, the judge deals with the potential for an underlying addiction issue. The paraphernalia charge is often used as a vehicle to get someone into treatment when the defendant has a drug addiction. If there is no addiction, the charges are not treated as particularly harshly. The goal for most judges who hear paraphernalia charges is to get the individual into treatment as a part of a pre-sentence program as part of a sentence.
Most of the time, drug paraphernalia charges occur as an offshoot of an arrest for possession or possession with intent to distribute drugs. It is often a result of an investigation by police during a stop when someone is on the street or in a car. It is crucial for individuals to understand their constitutional rights when it comes to police investigations. For example, is the Fourth Amendment gives people the right against unreasonable search and seizure. If a person’s rights were violated, a Washington DC lawyer could get the evidence or drug paraphernalia case thrown out.
When someone is charged with a drug offense, they should expect to be required to be drug tested regularly. They should anticipate that the judge will get involved intensely in the issue of whether the person obtained drug treatment on their own or is required to attend drug treatment.
Programs are available for anyone with a substance problem, particularly for someone who is charged with a drug offense for the first time. Opportunities exist for people to get their cases dismissed if they seek drug treatment.
In a drug paraphernalia case, the defendant should also expect that the State may look to charge the person for additional crimes. For instance, a person arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia can also be charged with possession of drugs or possession with intent to distribute.
If you are facing drug paraphernalia charges, you should seek an accomplished criminal attorney immediately. A DC drug paraphernalia lawyer could advocate for you and help you understand your legal options. Call today.
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