No matter how it happens, being accused of any type of possession of drugs is a serious matter. It can happen unexpectedly especially if the police may have mistaken you for someone else. If you were already accused and formally charged in this matter, however, you need to take action quickly by requesting to talk to your criminal defense lawyer. Your lawyer can help you fight back when you need to avoid the consequences.
Being accused of any type of drug possession is a serious situation in Maryland and one that should be evaluated directly by a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. Wait too long or trust a public defender and the consequences may follow you for years to come. Unfortunately, possession of marijuana can come at a high expense for someone who is accused.
Many offenses come with minimum mandatory sentences and the fines can be harsh. The possession of marijuana can lead to fines of between $500 all the way up to $1 million, depending on the amount of marijuana in your possession. While many people are unlikely to be accused of the kingpin possession of marijuana including more than 50 lbs., any type of marijuana possession charge is serious. The possession of marijuana of 10 gm or less is a misdemeanor charge of up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. However, if you are classified as possession marijuana with the intent to distribute it, this could be a felony charge with many years in prison.
Furthermore, possession charges may carry enhanced penalties if you were within 1000 ft. of an elementary school at the time. Mandatory minimum penalties may apply for a broad range of different marijuana charges including possession of paraphernalia, cultivation and trafficking. Consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney is the only way to protect yourself when a possession of marijuana charge is on the table. If you don’t take necessary action to fight back and avoid the consequences of conviction, a drug charge like this might affect your employment and educational future and follow you for many years into the future.