Act Promptly If You Face Drug Charges Or You Suspect You Are Under Investigation

MISDEMEANORS — Simple possession of many drugs, marijuana for instance, is a misdemeanor. Possession of drug paraphernalia (the pipe, papers, needles, even the container used to store the drugs) is also a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors can carry active jail time, but usually do not. Still, it is important, especially for younger defendants, to keep drug charges off their criminal record. Drug convictions can stop you from getting a job, renting an apartment, getting into school, or even volunteering at your child’s school.

Often, there are ways to keep these charges off your criminal record. Contact us to go over the particulars of your case and explore your options.

FELONIES — Simple possession of certain drugs, like cocaine or heroin, is felonious in North Carolina. Even the drugs that are usually misdemeanors to possess can be charged as felonies if there is enough quantity alleged. Possession with intent to sell or distribute any controlled substance is a felony and, of course, sale of any controlled substance is also a felony. Some felony drug charges can be pled down to misdemeanors or even deferred altogether (meaning the defendant does something like community service and drug classes in exchange for a dismissal).

TRAFFICKING — Trafficking charges are as serious as it gets in the drug unit. If convicted of trafficking, a defendant is faced with a mandatory active jail sentence — the length of which depends on the level of trafficking and the substance alleged. These jail sentences are measured in years, not days, and the only discretion afforded to judges who are handing down the sentence is in the realm of substantial assistance, which means working for the state to help them catch other drug dealers.