COCAINE & OPIATE POSSESSION ATTORNEY IN WEST HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

Cocaine and opiate possession is a serious charge in the state of Connecticut and carries with it harsh penalties. Having the services of a criminal defense attorney you can trust can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Whether you are a first-time offender or have faced similar charges before, you need the best possible defense in order to minimize potential damage to your future. As experienced criminal defense lawyers in West Haven, Connecticut, we can help you build your case to fight these charges.

COCAINE OR OPIATE POSSESSION

Though overall crime rates in the state of Connecticut have shown a steady rate of decline in recent years, drug arrests are still a frequent occurrence and a focal point for law enforcement. The possession of cocaine or illegal opiate drugs draws severe punishments, including significant jail time and fines, even for first-time offenses. Depending on the specifics of the crime you are being charged with, there is also the potential for additional federal drug charges.

The consequences of a conviction for cocaine or opiate possession charges can have a devastating effect on your family, your freedom, and your future. Having a drug possession conviction on your record will follow you the rest of your life, with far-reaching effects—both personally and professionally. Depending on the nature of the charges, you could face significant jail time and large fines. The severity of the charges is determined by the following factors:

• Whether it is a first-time offense

• The amount of the substance you are charged with possessing

• Whether federal drug charges apply

Both law enforcement and the state courts take cocaine and opiate possession charges very seriously. You should take your defense just as seriously. This is where we come in. You need a serious, hard-fighting lawyer on your side.

DRUG POSSESSION PENALTIES IN CONNECTICUT

Under Connecticut law, cocaine and illegal opiates are considered narcotics, and the possession of these substances is a felony. Though the state of Connecticut has been modernizing its drug laws, narcotics carry the harshest drug possession penalties in the state. If you have been charged with cocaine or opiate possession, you can expect to face the following potential sentences:

• First-time offense: Up to 7 years in prison, and a fine of up to $50,000

• Second offense: Up to 15 years in prison, and a fine of up to $100,000

• Subsequent offenses: Up to 25 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000

These are only the penalties under state law in Connecticut. When the amount of the illegal substance is significant, when the crime includes the possession of a firearm, or when it involves the substance crossing state lines, federal drug possession charges may also be added. If you end up facing additional drug possession charges at the federal level, the punishment you receive can be even worse — up to a sentence of life in prison.

YOUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION

Drug possession charges can have a permanent effect on your life and cannot be taken lightly. Being confronted with a debilitating fine or decades in prison can be a scary situation. Even though you may feel helpless in your situation, there are ways to mount a defense. If you have been charged with cocaine or opiate possession in Connecticut, you should contact us immediately so that we can get to work on your defense and help you reach the best possible outcome.