Charlotte Drug Possession Attorney

Have you been arrested for drug possession? Have you been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia? If so, you need understand that the situation ahead of you may not be as simple as you think. Prosecutors in North Carolina take drug crimes very seriously, and they won’t hesitate to threaten you with harsh penalties, including steep fines and jail time.

You need to protect your rights and best interests, and the only way to do this is to have a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney help you overcome these charges.

At The Law Office of Kevin L. Barnett, in Charlotte, our attorney has extensive experience defending clients charged with all types of drug crimes. When you hire our firm, we will investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest and collect evidence, critically looking at the assumptions and personal history of the arresting officer. Using this information, we will work to build an effective defense to your charges.

Understanding Drug Possession Charges In North Carolina

Attorney Kevin L. Barnett has successfully defended clients from charges of possessing all types of illegal drugs, such as:

• Marijuana
• Mushrooms
• Ecstasy
• Cocaine
• Heroine
• LSD
• Prescription pills, such as Vicodin or OxyContin

The punishment given for conviction of each type of drug varies dramatically depending on the type of drug and the amount you possessed. Marijuana possession, for instance, if it is less than half an ounce, is only a Class 3 misdemeanor with no jail time. However, cocaine possession or possession of prescription pills without a prescription is a felony.

Possession Of Paraphernalia Charges

While being caught with a small amount of pot will not send a first-time offender to jail, possession of paraphernalia can significantly enhance the charge. Paraphernalia is a Class 1 misdemeanor that could result in jail time and increased fines. Police will tack on this charge when they find a bong, pipe, papers or, sometimes, even the container holding the drugs.

Understand Your Fourth Amendment Rights

Many drug charges aren’t just the result of police stopping individuals on the street, but rather occur out of routine traffic stops for other offenses. It’s important for you to understand your Fourth Amendment right in these situations, especially if an officer asks to search your vehicle without cause.

If you agree to the search and suspicious substances are uncovered, you could be charged with a drug crime. Additionally, the search of your vehicle without probable cause or a warrant is also unlawful in our state and could mean your rights were violated.

We Will Help You Build A Strong Case

Attorney Kevin L. Barnett is well-known for aggressively defending the best interests of his clients and working hard to have paraphernalia and drug possession charges dismissed if misconduct or other procedural mistakes occur. Even if this isn’t the case for you, you can rest assured knowing he will tenaciously defend your right to a fair trial, arguing for the best possible outcome for you.

If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case, please call our office in Charlotte at 704-334-2044 or send us a brief description of your case using our online contact form.