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Chad Calabria
Senior Attorney
Death Penalty Certified
Focus: Fraud Charges, Sex Offenses, Drug and Serious Criminal Cases.
State and Federal

Gina Tennen
Executive Managing Attorney.
Focus: Serious Sex Crimes, Drug Crimes, Organized Crime, and White Collar Cases.
State and Federal

E. Thomas Dunn, Jr.
Certified Criminal Law Specialist and Appellate Specialist, Of Counsel

Louis Pilato
Senior Attorney, Of Counsel.
Focus: Sex Crimes, Drug Crimes, DUI's and all criminal cases

Featured Attorney

Attorney Carrie Jourdan was featured on 60 Minutes for her landmark case that resulted in the first ever overturn of a Death Penalty in Mississippi on the basis of DNA evidence.

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Drug Possession

What is Drug Possession?

Drug possession is generally defined as any person who possesses a controlled substance without the written prescription of a physician, dentist, podiatrist or veterinarian licensed to practice in the particular state. Controlled substances are defined and classified differently from state to state, but generally the drug statutes refer to narcotics, marijuana, prescriptive drugs, etc.

What is important to remember is that in many jurisdictions, you can be charged with this crime without actually physically possessing the illegal substance. For example, if someone in your car is carrying methamphetamine, even in their purse or pocket, the driver or owner of the vehicle can be charged -- even if you had no clue that the passenger had drugs on them.

Drug possession laws vary according to the drug type, amount and geographic area of the offense. Possession of small quantities could be a Simple Possession,while possession of large amounts may result in a charge of Possession with Intent to Distribute.

If you are suspected of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of selling it, you can be charged with Possesion for Sale. If the amount of the drug in your possession is sufficiently high, you can be charged with Possession for Sale even if you never intended to the sell the drug and intended it only for personal use.

Ramifications of Possession Charges

Since the advent of the "war on drugs" in the 1980's, the government at all levels has aggressively pursued drug convictions. Drug crimes are considered "gateway crimes" that can eventually lead to other types of crimes including white collar, violent and sexual crimes. Big drug busts mean big publicity for prosecutors and politicians.

Citizens who may be in involved in the possession or distribution of drugs are favorite targets of prosecutors because drug convictions tend to be easier to get than other types of crimes. The prevalence of drug use leads many people to assume drug charges are minor, "victimless" crimes.

On the contrary, drug crimes have among the most aggressive sentencing guidelines in the criminal justice system. Even minor possession charges can result in a criminal record, loss of your drivers' license and difficulty in keeping or getting jobs. Convictions on possession of controlled substances or on selling or trafficking drugs can result in long prison times with mandatory sentencing guidelines. This is why drug charges must be fought with extremely skilled and vigorous defense.

Defense!

The most common approach to drug crimes defense is to get the charges dismissed or substantially reduced without a trial. Pre-trial defense strategies usually center around the suppression or handling of evidence. This requires more than just knowledge of the law. It requires specific experience in drug related defense strategies backed by forensic experts who can conduct the research necessary for a defense.

Drug charges are aggressively prosecuted and carry severe penalties. Just a few grams of some substances can result in years in prison.

Unlike many other types of crimes, drug charges can result in federal prosecution. The federal government has an entire agency dedicated solely to pursuing drug convictions. It is critical that you determine whether you are facing federal charges or under federal investigation. Even a charge made by your state can later be handed to the federal government. If so, you need an attorney experienced in the Federal Court System.

Our defense strategies and our cadre of drug trial attorneys at both the state and federal level have saved our clients years of prison time.

LibertyBell Law Group was founded by a group of criminal defense attorneys who have a track record of generating results. We grew frustrated with the fact that thousands of people still suffer life-altering consequences because they do not have the ability to mount an adequate defense.

We created this law firm to level the playing field. We hand-picked only the foremost experts in sex crimes defense. We have extensive experience and an impressive track record of results in sensitive and highly challenging sex crime cases.

We provide these legal veterans with all of the resources they need to get the best possible results for our clients. We make this powerful legal defense force available and affordable.

Learn more about our criminal defense law firm

call our criminal attorneys now

As a client, you can now draw on the combined talents and resources of a large law firm with one goal -- getting the best possible result for your case. We stand ready to defend you both inside and outside the courtroom.

Call us now at 800-432-2355 for a free consultation with one of our criminal attorneys. Early intervention is the key to our mutual success.