Phoenix Drug Crime Lawyer
Phoenix Drug Crimes Defense Attorney
Drug-related offenses in Arizona are aggressively prosecuted and severely penalized.
If you have been charged with a drug crime, it is vital that you get legal protection as soon as possible because time is a critical factor in building your defense. You’ll want a qualified Phoenix drug crime lawyer who has a solid track record of winning defense cases, whether in state or federal court.
In Phoenix and surrounding cities, Arizonans trust Dworman Law for our successful track record in criminal defense. Our defense attorney Howard Dworman is uniquely experienced in fighting drug charges, as he has formerly worked with the Arizona Attorney General’s office and the Maricopa County Public Defender’s office.
He has dismissed numerous criminal cases, lowered charges, and obtained Not Guilty verdicts in state and federal courts.
Call Dworman Law today at (480) 256-2449.
What Drug Activities And Substances Are Illegal In Arizona?
A variety of offenses can fall under the umbrella of drug crimes, including:
- Cultivation (e.g. growing of plants to make drugs)
- Distribution
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Drug possession
- Manufacturing
- Possession of drugs with intent to sell
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Smuggling
- Trafficking
- Transportation.
What drugs are illegal in Phoenix Arizona? The Arizona Uniform Controlled Substances Act names many drugs as controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, certain opioids, and other narcotics. Prescription drugs may also result in drug charges if they are allegedly being distributed or used in unlawful ways.
Various parts of Arizona law prosecute drug offenses. Narcotic drug possession, manufacturing, possession with intent to distribute, and trafficking are governed by Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3408. Meanwhile, dangerous drug offenses fall under ARS 13-3407, prescription drug offenses under ARS 13-3406, and paraphernalia possession under ARS 13-3415.
Is Drug Crime A Misdemeanor Or Felony In Arizona?
A drug offense can either be a misdemeanor or a felony in Arizona. The severity of the drug charge depends on the classification (or “schedule”) of the narcotics involved, the amount of the substance in question, and whether this is a first-time or repeat violation.
Either way, a drug conviction in the state typically carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence, even when it is a first offense. Potential prison sentences for a state drug felony are as follows:
- Class 2 Drug Felony:
- First-time offense – Minimum 4 years, maximum 10 years
- Subsequent offense – Minimum 14 years, maximum 28 years
- Class 3 Drug Felony:
- First-time offense – Minimum 2.5 years, maximum 7 years
- Subsequent offense – Minimum 10 years, maximum 20 years
- Class 4 Drug Felony:
- First-time offense – Minimum 1.5 years, maximum 3 years
- Subsequent offense – Minimum 8 years, maximum 12 years
- Class 5 Drug Felony:
- First-time offense – Minimum 0.75 years, maximum 2 years
- Subsequent offense – Minimum 4 years, maximum 6 years
- Class 6 Drug Felony:
- First-time offense – Minimum 0.5 years, maximum 1.5 years
- Subsequent offense – Minimum 3 years, maximum 4.5 years.
A serious drug conviction could adversely impact your life, especially because criminal records in Arizona cannot be expunged (erased) or sealed (hidden). After you endure the penalties of a jail sentence and fines, the record could still damage your employment prospects, housing opportunities, and relationships.
This is why you should entrust your case to a defense lawyer with proven experience. In the hands of a competent attorney, it may be possible to lower your charges or dismiss them altogether.
Call Dworman Law Today To
Protect Your Rights.
Talk to us at Dworman Law by calling 480-256-2449. We serve
clients in Phoenix and all throughout Arizona.
When Does A Drug Offense Become A Federal Crime?
Some drug violations are prosecuted at the federal level, particularly when they involve out-of-state activity. Examples are when the substances are moved across state lines or international borders, or when email, fax, or mail is used.
Federal drug offenses are handled by national agencies such as the DEA and the FBI. They are among the most tenacious law enforcement entities in the US, equipped with a vast amount of resources to investigate and apprehend offenders. The penalties for a federal drug conviction can also be much more severe.
If you are facing federal drug charges, or even if you are only being investigated for drug-related allegations, do not wait to enlist a powerful attorney. Choosing a competent defense lawyer – and doing it fast – can help safeguard your freedom and minimize the ruinous impact of a federal conviction.
Why Time Is Crucial In Fighting A Drug Charge
Whether at the state or federal level, drug prosecutors do not take their job lightly. To build a case against a potential offender, they employ a variety of investigative tactics such as undercover officers and confidential informants. It is common for a drug investigation to be well underway even before charges are brought. By the time you learn of your charges, a strong case may already be prepared against you.
The earlier you approach a defense attorney, the better you can protect your rights, avoid damaging mistakes, and attack the prosecution’s case.
Your attorney should also look out for the legitimacy of the law enforcement procedure. They will investigate the case based on questions such as:
- Was the investigation or arrest lawful?
- Does the informant have a personal motivation to say anything against you?
- Were your rights violated at any point in the process?
Having a lawyer from the get-go can help ensure that proper procedure is followed. If there were procedural violations, this may be grounds to dismiss the charges.
Fighting Your Drug Charges In Arizona
To defend our clients facing a drug-related charge, we pour our skills and resources to cover the different aspects of each case. Our legal service includes:
- Building the best defense strategies against your drug charge – We have a wide range of legal defenses in our arsenal, and we work with you to create a specific strategy for your case.
- Guiding you to avoid costly mistakes such as making statements, admitting to things, violating existing orders, and signing away your rights
- Scrutinizing the prosecution’s investigation and the officers’ arrest procedure
- Negotiating for much lighter charges or penalties
- Arranging a favorable plea deal, if applicable
- Walking you through the whole criminal justice process and guiding you on your options
- Updating you every step of the way and providing clear answers to your questions.
Arizona Penalties For Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault, also known as battery, is an act of violence against a person, with an aggravating circumstance involved. Some of these aggravating circumstances are:
- The victim suffered serious, life-altering injuries from the violence.
- The assailant used a dangerous weapon or instrument.
- The assailant entered the victim’s home to commit the assault.
- The victim was under 15 years of age.
- The assailant knew that the victim was a teacher, doctor, teacher, judicial officer, law enforcer, or firefighter.
Aggravated assault is a felony in Arizona, with the class depending on the circumstances around the offense. It is often charged as a Class 3 Felony, punishable with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 years in prison. Charges are sometimes elevated to a Class 2 Felony, especially if the victim was under 15 years old or an officer of the law. Class 2 Felony Assault may be sentenced with a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 21 years in prison.
On top of that, a felony conviction in Arizona can also result in up to $150,000 in fines, plus restitution (payment to the victim), mandatory probation, community service, and lost civil rights such as the right to vote and to bear arms.
An Arizona Defense Lawyer
Can Help With Your Assault Case
In an assault case, the state prosecutor has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. Arizona prosecutors are aggressive, that’s why it is crucial for you to have legal protection immediately.
Consult with a defense attorney as soon as you learn of any assault allegation against you – even if you believe you never harmed anyone.
Our legal service covers every aspect of your case to help you prevent the ruinous impact of an assault conviction
We will:
- Build the best defense strategies against your assault charge – from insufficient evidence and lack of intent, to courtroom technicalities and affirmative defenses (e.g. self-defense)
- Help you avoid costly mistakes such as contacting the victim, brandishing a weapon, making statements, admitting to things, violating existing orders, and signing away your rights.
- Help you respond to or challenge protective orders, release orders, and injunctions, if any
- Alleviating the impact of the arrest and the potential penalties
- Ensuring that your rights are upheld throughout your case.
If you work with us, you’ll be backed by a capable team led by hard-hitting criminal defense attorney Howard Dworkin. Choose Dworman Law to defend your rights and freedom.
Good people make mistakes. At Dworman Law, we work hard to ensure that one bad night does not destroy your future.
