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:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

• 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.