Washington DC Drug Lawyer

When initially faced with the prospect of violating Washington, DC’s drug laws, you may believe you will get nothing more than a slap on the wrist. The reality is that DC drug charges are sometimes pursued with as much aggressiveness by the prosecutor as a violent crime. The war on drugs this country has waged has served to incarcerate millions for offenses some would refer to as “victimless”.

Whether you are faced with charges of drug possession or even distribution, a DC drug lawyer can help mitigate the potential ramifications of such charges.

Possessing a controlled substance carries a potential 180 day jail sentence and fines. However, variations in the facts of your case, such as the amount and type of drug, can elevate that charge to Possession with Intent to Distribute, which carries up to 30 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.

Drug Possession

Whether you had the drugs in your pocket or even on the seat next to you, you could be charged with “possessing” them. Under DC law, possession can be actual or constructive. Actual possession means you had physical custody of the drugs—they were in your pocket or your hand. Constructive possession means that although you may not have had the drugs on your person, they were in your control—perhaps within reach or found in an area accessible by you.

Drug Evidence

The success of a DC drug case hinges on the evidence presented by the prosecution. How that evidence was found and seized can play a major role in your case. Your DC drug attorney will investigate the manner in which evidence was collected, to ensure your rights were not violated.

To understand the legal aspects of your case and all of the options potentially available to you, call Washington DC drug lawyer Jason Kalafat for a free consultation.

If you need a Maryland Drug Lawyer or a Drug Lawyer in Virginia, please visit Colleen Kirby's and Thomas Soldan's websites.