Chestertown Drug Crime Lawyers

Drug Charge Attorneys in Chestertown, MD, Experienced in Drug Crime Defense in Kent County and Throughout Maryland

Dealing with drug charges in Chestertown? We know you're scared, and our Chestertown drug crime lawyers are here to help.

Maybe you were stopped near Washington College or along High Street, and now you're dealing with drug charges. The local prosecutors take drug cases seriously:

• You can face time in prison.
• You can face costly fines and be subject to mandatory drug programs.

Our team knows Chestertown's court system inside and out. We've helped many local residents fight drug charges and protect their futures.

Contact our Chestertown criminal defense lawyers now for a free talk about your drug crime case.

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When Can You Be Charged With a Drug Crime in Chestertown?

In Chestertown, you can face drug charges for:

• Possessing
• Possessing with intent to distribute
• Manufacturing
• Trafficking

Even being near drugs can result in constructive possession charges if prosecutors believe you have knowledge and control of the substance.

Maryland classifies controlled substances into five schedules based on their potential for abuse:

• Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote.
• Schedule II substances include cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
• Schedule III drugs include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and certain codeine products.
• Schedule IV substances include Xanax, Valium, and Ambien.
• Schedule V substances include medications with small amounts of narcotics, such as certain cough syrups with codeine.

Penalties for Committing Drug Crimes in Chestertown

Drug crimes in Maryland carry steep penalties that can change your life forever. Here's what you're potentially facing:

Penalties for Making or Selling Schedule I and II Narcotic Substances, Such as Heroin, Morphine, and Cocaine

• First offense: Up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.
• Second offense: Up to 20 years in prison, with mandatory minimums of at least 10 years and fines reaching $100,000.

Penalties for Making or Selling Schedule I and II Hallucinogenic Substances Such as LSD, Ecstasy, and PCP

• First offense: Up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $20,000.
• Second offense: Up to 20 years in prison, with mandatory minimums of at least 10 years and fines reaching $100,000.

Penalties for Making or Selling Schedule III, IV, and V Substances Such as Ketamine, Anabolic Steroids, and Xanax

• First offense: Up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
• Second offense: Up to 5 years in prison, with mandatory minimums of at least 2 years and fines reaching $15,000.

Penalties for Possessing Drugs Other Than Marijuana

• Simple possession can result in up to 4 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.

Penalties for Possessing Marijuana

• Less than 10 grams: Fines up to $100.
• 10 grams to 50 lbs: Misdemeanor offense with up to 1 year in jail and $1,000 in fines.

If you're facing drug charges in Chestertown or across it, contact us today. Our Chestertown drug crime lawyers can help you get your charges dismissed or reduced before they derail your entire future.

How Our Chestertown Drug Crime Lawyers Can Defend You Against Drug Charges

Drug crimes are among the most serious in Maryland. Our Chestertown drug crime lawyers have successfully represented hundreds of residents against drug allegations using several defense strategies, including:

Lack of Search Warrant

Police must follow strict rules when searching your property. If officers searched your home, car, or belongings without a valid warrant, we can file a motion to suppress any evidence they found.

In many cases, this single defense can lead to the complete dismissal of charges.

Lack of Probable Cause

Every search warrant comes with an affidavit where officers must explain exactly why they believe evidence of a crime will be found. We carefully examine these documents for flaws such as:

• Was the information stale?
• Was the scope of the search too broad?

Our drug charge attorneys in Chestertown, MD, identify these issues and challenge probable cause determinations that don't meet legal standards.

For traffic stops, we thoroughly investigate whether officers had legitimate reasons to pull you over and search your vehicle. Even a procedural error can make all the evidence inadmissible in court.

No Intent to Possess Drugs

The prosecution must prove you knowingly possessed the controlled substance. We've successfully defended clients who:

• Were unaware drugs were in a shared vehicle
• Had someone else place items in their bag or property
• Were present at a location where drugs were found but had no knowledge of them

You Didn't Exercise Control Over The Drugs

Simply being near drugs isn't enough for a conviction. The state must prove you exercised dominion and control over the substance, meaning you had both the ability and intention to control the drugs. This legal standard often creates opportunities for defense.

We thoroughly investigate whether the drugs were truly in your possession or control.

Your drug crime case is unique, and the best approach depends on your specific circumstances. Depending on the evidence and charges, we may be able to achieve:

• Complete dismissal of charges
• Reduction to lesser charges with minimal penalties
• Diversion programs or treatment options instead of jail time
• Acquittal at trial when the evidence doesn't support conviction

Our commitment is to achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. Contact us to discuss your case with our drug charge attorneys in Chestertown, MD.

Contact Our Chestertown Drug Crime Lawyers at Maronick Law LLC Today for a Free Case Review

Don't face drug charges alone. The sooner you contact us, the more options we'll have to help you.

For help from drug crime lawyers in Chestertown, contact Maronick Law LLC online or call 443-551-2747 today.