Drug Possession Charges in Arizona
AZ Drug Laws are tough and complex. If you face an Arizona drug possession arrest or charges, you should consult a criminal Attorney who frequently defends drug charges as soon as possible. The severity of a drug possession charge depends largely on the amount found in your possession. Additionally, the quantity found, is a substantial factor for the AZ police or law enforcement official to determine if the AZ drug charges will be elevated to possession with intent to sell or distribute drugs for which charges and penalties are even more serious.
Whether your arrest or charges were in Tempe AZ, Phoenix AZ, Chandler, AZ, Scottsdale AZ, Gilbert AZ, Mesa, AZ or any city within Maricopa County or other Counties in Arizona makes no difference. Every city in Arizona falls to the rule of law Arizona State Laws. The definitions, classifications and penalties are comprehensively outlined in the following criminal code: Arizona Revised Statutes: "A.R.S. 13 Chapter 34 DRUG OFFENSES 13-3401...13-3461".
Arizona Drug Classifications
Arizona classifies its drugs in a pretty basic way. Below are the three main types, and examples. Note: These examples are not all inclusive:
1. Dangerous drugs: LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamines, steroids, hallucinogenic mushrooms, clonazepam, lorazepam
2. Narcotics: cocaine, heroin, opium, morphine, oxycodone
3. Marijuana: Also known as pot, weed, cannabis
Currently, Marijuana charges are the most common criminal offenses in Arizona.
Arizona Drug Defenses
The fact that a drug was found in your possession and you were arrested for Arizona Drug possession does not mean you will automatically convicted of that crime. There are many defenses that can be used by a good Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney or Drug defense, to work to get your charges dismissed, reduced, or a good outcome in your case.
Some of the best Arizona Criminal Attorneys know how to use the Arizona drug laws in your favor. For example, "knowledge", and whether or not you "knowingly" possessed a drug is a factor that needs to exist in order for the prosecution and court to convict you of Arizona Drug Charges.
This law is referenced in Arizona State Drug Law: "A.R.S. Title 13 Chapter 34 "13-3405. Possession, use, production, sale or transportation of marijuana; classification
A. A person shall not knowingly: (emphasis added)
1. Possess or use marijuana..." (Cited in part from azleg.state.az.us)
A good criminal defense attorney in Arizona or AZ drug defense attorney may be able to obtained facts or evidence which gives light to the fact that you were not knowingly in possession of the drug that police found. This factor could very well lead to a dismissal of your Arizona drug charges.
Examples of a few other defenses include violation of your constitutional rights, challenge of the amount alleged to be found in your possession; entrapment issues; challenge of whether or not there was actually "probable cause for arrest"; challenge of whether or not the police followed required protocol and procedures of your arrest, handling and storage of evidence, and more. The defenses that a good private practice criminal defense attorney in Arizona will use are based on the particular set of circumstances surrounding your AZ drug charges or drug arrest in Arizona.
Arizona Drug Possession Attorney - Criminal Defense
It is a priority for you to consult and hire the best Arizona drug defense attorney possible with many years of experience and litigation in AZ Drug defense, and AZ criminal defense. You will need a skilled Arizona defense lawyer who will develop a solid defense against your drug charges. Regardless of the severity, it is crucial that you contact an Arizona criminal defense attorney or AZ drug possession attorney with a vast amount of experience in defending drug Charges in Arizona.
The attorney you choose will need to be assertive and proactive. They will need to conduct an independent investigation to determine your rights were violated, particularly with regard to search and seizure. If police conduct was illegal, your case should be dismissed or evidence obtained unlawfully suppressed (not used against you). If the case cannot be dismissed, a good AZ criminal attorney will work to negotiate a lower charge by contesting the amount of the controlled substance cited, and present the most compelling arguments possible, that will effectively lead to securing reduced charges, or a total dismissal of your drug possession charges.
If you have been charged with any AZ drug charges including but not limited to drug possession, sales, drug possession, drug manufacturing, drug paraphernalia, Drug forgery, Felony Drug, Dangerous Drug, Narcotics, Marijuana, or any other drug charges, in Maricopa County, you should contact the Law Office of James Novak and speak Directly with experienced drug defense Attorney James Novak at (480) 413-1499.
For more criminal defense help and information visit http://www.arizonacriminaldefenselawyer.com
The Law Office of James Novak is devoted to handling 100% DUI, Drug & criminal cases in Phoenix AZ, Tempe AZ, Scottsdale AZ, Chandler AZ, Gilbert AZ, Mesa AZ and other cities within Maricopa County Arizona valley-wide.
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