Drug Offense Lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona has arguably tougher drug laws than most states. Should you find yourself with drug-related charges in Arizona, you will need to find an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney immediately.
The criminal defense attorneys at Tait & Hall have handled numerous drug crimes cases in Arizona. With almost several decades of combined experience and former county prosecutors on our team, we can guard against the potential negative impact to your life, liberty, reputation, and future.
Our Arizona criminal defense lawyers handle a wide variety of drug-related cases, including but not limited to:
Drug Charges in Arizona:
Guarding against serious, long-lasting consequences
Here in Arizona, drug crimes cover a variety of criminal offenses. Drug-related cases may be charged as misdemeanor offenses or felony cases, depending on the evidence, your defense, and other aggravating or mitigating factors.
Drug charges in Arizona can vary based on:
- The substance in question
- The amount of drugs present
- The perceived intent with the drugs
- The location of the drugs
- Other unique circumstances
Further, drug-related charges in Arizona can result from a wide variety of circumstances, and virtually anyone can find themselves facing them. Drug charges may be the result of manufacturing illicit drugs, allowing a drug-using friend or family member in your car, being under the influence of a doctor-prescribed medication, and much more.
If you’ve been charged with drug possession, drug use, or any other drug crime in Arizona, you must choose a criminal defense lawyer you can rely on.
What to Do if You Are Charged with a Drug-Related Offense in Arizona
When facing drug-related charges in Arizona, there are things you can do to help mitigate the potential consequences. While Arizona’s drug penalties are strict and harsh, with the right attorney you will be much more likely to have your charges reduced or even dropped.
Here’s what you can do to help your case:
- Exercise your Miranda Rights
If the police arrest you for any of the drug offenses mentioned above, the most important thing you can do is to exercise your right to remain silent, as well as your right to legal counsel. We have defended cases in courts across the state and have a considerable track record of success. - Hire an experienced Arizona criminal defense lawyer
With the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, individuals facing drug-related charges are more likely to succeed in court. Many cases, when fought well, reach alternative settlements– such as reduced charges, less harsh sentences, etc.
Drug Offense Criminal Defense Lawyers
Our lawyers have successfully undertaken numerous drug possession cases. In some cases, alternatives to harsh sentences are available. Many drug possession cases are eligible for special sentencing under Arizona law if they are personal possession cases and do not involve methamphetamine.
Arizona Drug Laws
Below, we’ve outlined some of the major Arizona drug laws that affect our clients:
Unlike many states that have recently lessened penalties for drug charges, Arizona law still provides harsh penalties and lengthy sentences for most drug offenses. For example, Arizona drug laws consider the possession of any “usable” amounts of illegal drugs (no matter how small) a felony.
Unlawful possession of a drug in any amount may result in drug possession charges. In the State of Arizona, drugs are classified as:
- Narcotics - ARS §13-3408: Narcotics include heroin, cocaine, crack, and other opiates. Charges for possession of narcotics also include many controlled painkillers without a valid doctor’s prescription.
- Dangerous Drugs - ARS §13-3407: Methamphetamine (meth), hallucinogens such as LSD, ecstasy and other substances, may all be prosecuted as possession of dangerous drugs.
- Marijuana - ARS §13-3405: While the use, possession, and transport of marijuana (under 1 ounce) has been legalized for adults under 21 in Arizona, Arizona drug laws do regulate its use. Possession and transportation over the legal limit may still result in serious criminal charges.
You can also be charged with drug possession without possessing drugs; possession of drug paraphernalia can result in drug possession charges in Arizona under ARS §13-3415.
Drug Possession and Mandatory Prison Sentences
According to Arizona drug laws, if the amount of a drug found in your possession exceeds the “threshold amount,” a conviction will result in a mandatory prison sentence. The “threshold amount” for each drug under Arizona law is as follows:
- 2 pounds of marijuana
- 9 grams of cocaine
- 1 gram of heroin
- 4 grams or 50 milliliters of PCP
- 9 grams of methamphetamine
- 9 grams of amphetamine
Felony Charges for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
It is also illegal to possess drug paraphernalia, or anything used to ingest, prepare, plant or store drugs, in Arizona. Further, such charges are automatically classified as a felony.
Drug DUI (ARS §28-1381)
Driving-under-the-influence charges are not limited to alcohol-related cases. In Arizona, those suspected of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of any drug may face drug DUI charges, in addition to other possible criminal charges.
According to Arizona drug laws, Drug DUI charges may result even with a valid prescription for possession. Many prescription medications are reputed to affect the ability to drive and the state will prosecute those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, narcotics, or prescribed medications.
Also known as distribution charges, drug trafficking charges include the transportation of drugs, sale of drugs, or conspiracy to distribute drugs. This includes marijuana and narcotics as well as the unlawful distribution of prescription medications. Trafficking charges may be filed for the sales or transport, or an offer to engage in either under ARS §13-3405, §13-3406, §13-3407, §13-3408, §13-3411.
Depending on the substance, the quantity, and other factors (such as how the suspected drugs were packaged and stored,) trafficking charges can carry various sentencing limits. Other aggravating factors, such as the inclusion of a firearm or different violent charge, can further complicate drug trafficking charges.
The penalties for a drug trafficking conviction in Arizona can be severe. If you’ve been charged with a drug trafficking offense you need to start working on your defense immediately. It will be vital for you to hire an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney to help fight for you against drug-related charges.
In Arizona, the production or intended production of any drug or regulated substance in any amount through natural or synthetic means can result in drug manufacturing charges. Drug manufacturing charges may also be filed against people suspected of packaging or labeling drugs. Possession of the necessary ingredients for producing drugs can also result in drug manufacturing charges.
Depending on the substance, the quantity, and other factors (such as how the suspected drugs were packaged and stored) trafficking charges can carry various sentencing limits. Other aggravating factors such as the inclusion of a firearm or different violent charge can further complicate drug trafficking charges. The penalties for a drug trafficking conviction in Arizona can be severe. If you’ve been charged with a drug trafficking offense you need to start working on your defense immediately.
Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers Prepared to Fight for You in Court
If you’re facing drug-related charged in Arizona, it’s immensely important to hire a highly-experienced Criminal Defense team. Here at Tait & Hall, your Criminal Defense attorney will be prepared to represent you with skillfulness at every stage of your case, no matter how far it goes.
At Tait & Hall, our attorneys have finely-tuned litigation abilities that are indispensable to our clients’ success in trial. They have excellent oral argument skills and are experienced litigating in front of the toughest judges and against the most difficult criminal prosecutors in Arizona. Further, with highly-experienced former Maricopa County criminal prosecutors on our team, we hold an advantage that many criminal defense firms do not:
We know how prosecutors think about cases and evidence, can anticipate their next moves, and know the ins and outs of their strategies. Our Arizona criminal defense and trial lawyers know how to interpret and leverage facts, circumstances, and evidence to advocate for our clients with tremendous impact. To us, it’s vital that we go into court knowing more about a case than anyone else in the courtroom— and we’re not afraid of the hard work it takes to achieve that.
Our team’s litigation skills allow us to approach criminal allegations, charges, cases, and trials with the tools needed to make cogent arguments and effectively fight for the best possible outcomes for our clients.
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- You have a new best friend
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