Criminal Defense Lawyers

Arizona POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS Lawyers

There’s one reason you’re on this website: you’re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm. You’ve been charged with possession of dangerous drugs in Arizona, and you need serious legal firepower on your side.Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy in order to fight your case, and save their own time. They don‘t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next case. At Spodek Law Group, we leave no stone unturned. We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results.We understand the difficult and challenges of going through a case. If you‘re accused of a crime, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today.

What is Possession of Dangerous Drugs in Arizona?

Let’s start with the basics. In Arizona, “dangerous drugs” refers to pretty much any controlled substance except marijuana. We’re talking about things like:

• Methamphetamine
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Prescription painkillers like OxyContin
• Other opioids
• Steroids
• Hallucinogens like LSD

Basically, if it’s an illegal drug or a prescription drug you don‘t have a valid prescription for, it likely qualifies as a “dangerous drug” under Arizona law.So, what constitutes illegal “possession”? It‘s actually pretty broad. You can be charged if the drugs were:

• On your person (in your pocket, purse, etc.)
• In your vehicle, home, or another area you control
• Shared with others, like roommates or friends

It doesn‘t matter if the drugs were solely for personal use. Simple possession is illegal in Arizona.

The Penalties Are No Joke

“But it‘s just a little weed, no big deal right?”Sorry, if that didn’t make sense. Marijuana is treated differently than “dangerous drugs” under Arizona law. The penalties for possession of dangerous drugs are harsh:

• For simple possession, it’s a Class 4 felony
• That means up to 3.75 years in prison for a first offense
• If you have prior felonies, you could be looking at much more time
• Not to mention potential fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record

Possession for sale is even worse – a Class 2 felony that can result in over 12 years behind bars.The consequences get increasingly severe for crimes like drug manufacturing, trafficking, and selling to minors or within certain drug-free zones.Long story short, you need to take this seriously. A conviction can derail your life in a major way.

Your Best Defense is an Aggressive Offense

“Okay, I get it, this is bad. But what can I actually do about it?”Easy – hire the Spodek Law Group as your criminal defense attorneys. We have a track record of getting charges reduced or dismissed entirely for our clients facing possession of dangerous drugs cases.How do we do it? By attacking the prosecution’s case from every possible angle:

• Challenging the legality of any searches and seizures
• Scrutinizing the handling and testing of the alleged drugs
• Investigating for potential entrapment or misconduct by law enforcement
• Identifying any holes or inconsistencies in the evidence

Sometimes prosecutors will only be fair if you respond with force to them. Without an attorney advising you, you might accidentally plead guilty when you could’ve won the case. The only way to truly know is to hire a private criminal defense attorney.At Spodek Law Group – we pride ourselves on taking a hands-on approach. It means researching the exact situation surrounding your case, and putting in the leg work to be familiar with every single intimate detail.Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold firm meetings in order to discuss and address all of our cases. In the event of an emergency – we have a full team of lawyers available to help you.

We Understand Your Situation is Difficult

Regardless of how tough your situation is – we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to have a solution for you, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in.Many clients are often embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. We encourage open dialogue, and recommend full transparency – so we can give you the best possible legal advice.At the end of the day, you need a team of attorneys who will:

• Treat you with respect and protect your rights, no matter what
• Explore all possible avenues for getting your charges reduced or dismissed
• Advise you honestly on the strengths and weaknesses of your case
• Prepare thoroughly to take your case to trial if needed
• Negotiate firmly with prosecutors from a position of strength

That’s exactly what you get when you hire Spodek Law Group. We’ve been achieving victories for clients facing drug charges in Arizona for decades.

You Deserve Honesty and White Glove Service

It’s simple. Every single client deserves honesty and white glove service.That means we will give you a straightforward assessment of your situation from the very first consultation. We’ll lay out the potential consequences you’re facing, but also the game plan for fighting back.You can expect frequent updates and open communication every step of the way. We make ourselves available to address any questions or concerns you have.And of course, you’ll receive tireless representation aimed at getting you the best possible outcome. Whether that‘s having charges dropped, negotiating a favorable plea, or taking your case to trial, we leave no stone unturned.The bottom line? When you hire Spodek Law Group, you get attorneys who will treat your case like it‘s their only case. You become our top priority.

Arizona Drug Laws Are Extremely Strict

So let’s dive a little deeper into the relevant Arizona laws and penalties surrounding dangerous drug possession:

Simple Possession (A.R.S. §13-3407(A)(1))

As mentioned, simple possession of any amount of a dangerous drug is considered a Class 4 felony. For first-time offenders with no priors, that means:

• Potential prison sentence of 1-3.75 years
• Presumptive sentence of 1 year in prison
• Possibility of probation instead of prison time
• Up to $150,000 in fines

The penalties increase significantly if you have prior felony convictions on your record.

Possession for Sale (A.R.S. §13-3407(A)(2))

Possession of any amount of dangerous drugs with the intent to sell or distribute is a much more serious Class 2 felony, carrying:

• Potential prison sentence of 3-12.5 years
• Presumptive 5 year sentence
• Possibility of 7-21 years with aggravating factors
• Up to $150,000 fine

Arizona takes an extremely hard stance against drug dealing and trafficking. Prosecutors will look for any evidence that could indicate “intent to sell,” like:

• Large quantities of drugs
• Baggies, scales, or other paraphernalia
• Amounts of cash on hand
• Texts/communications about selling

Even if the drugs were solely for personal use, you could face these heightened charges if prosecutors think they can prove intent to distribute.

Drug Manufacturing (A.R.S. §13-3407(A)(3)-(4))

Charges related to manufacturing dangerous drugs, like operating a meth lab or growing marijuana, are also Class 2 felonies.The same potential sentences apply as possession for sale – up to 12.5 years in prison, though the presumptive sentence is slightly lower at 3.5 years.

Trafficking/Transportation for Sale (A.R.S. §13-3407(A)(7))

If you‘re caught transporting drugs across state lines or into Arizona with the intent to sell, you’ll face the stiffest penalties.Trafficking is considered a Class 2 felony, with the same potential 3-12.5 year sentences as possession for sale. But the presumptive sentence is on the higher end at 7 years in prison.On top of that, there are often additional federal charges from agencies like the DEA for drug trafficking crimes.

Other Dangerous Drug Charges

Arizona also has laws prohibiting:

• Obtaining drugs through fraud or deception (Class 3 felony)
• Selling or administering drugs to minors (Class 2 felony)
• Possessing chemicals/equipment for drug manufacturing (Class 3 felony)
• Drug crimes in designated “drug-free zones” like schools or parks (harsher penalties)

The charges and potential sentences vary, but one thing is clear – Arizona does not go easy on any crimes involving dangerous drugs.You need a skilled defense attorney to fight back against these charges and protect your rights.