Baltimore Drug Crime Lawyers

drug crimes

Drug-related crimes are common types of criminal charges, but the consequences can be severe. A conviction could mean jail time, steep fines, a permanent criminal record, and long-term damage to your reputation and career. Hiring a knowledgeable Maryland and Baltimore drug crime lawyer from Greenberg Law Offices is the best way to minimize those potential consequences and get back to normal life.

Greenberg Law Offices has served Maryland families for over 60 years across three generations. Since 1966, our skilled negotiators and aggressive litigators have approached every case ready to go to trial and will do whatever it takes to protect your rights.

Whether you’re facing charges for simple possession, possession with intent to distribute, or drug trafficking, we know Maryland’s drug laws and how to fight back against aggressive prosecution. Our experienced defense team will explore every legal avenue to protect your freedom and your future. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about what we can do for your case — and your freedom.

Why You Need a Baltimore Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

Although drug crimes are among the most common types of charges, you need a skilled drug possession lawyer on your side. You won’t get arrested for having Maryland legal drugs on you, but drug crime convictions for illegal drugs carry penalties like jail time, significant fines, and a permanent criminal record. Even a minor drug crime conviction can make it harder for you to find employment and housing. Further, if you’re convicted of a felony, you could lose the right to possess or carry a firearm.

A strong advocate from Greenberg Law Offices can make all the difference. Our experienced defense team has significant experience defending drug charges throughout Maryland. We’re thoroughly familiar with Maryland drug possession laws. When we take a case, we’ll start by analyzing the charges and evidence against you. Our lawyers will investigate and challenge the prosecution’s evidence. Depending on the charges and the evidence against the defendant, we’ll fight for case dismissal or negotiate a plea deal. If your case goes to trial, we’ll aggressively defend your rights until the final resolution.

While public defenders are assigned to defendants who cannot afford their own attorney, they carry heavy caseloads and cannot devote much individual time to each client. At Greenberg Law Offices, our drug crimes defense lawyers will take the necessary time to offer tailored solutions for your unique case.

How Can You Protect Your Rights During and After a Drug Arrest in Baltimore?

Getting arrested can be frightening, regardless of the charges. Knowing how to protect your rights is the first step in defending yourself, even before you talk to Greenberg Law Offices. The following is what you should do during and after a drug arrest in Baltimore and across Maryland:

During the Arrest

  • Know Your Rights – Most people know that they have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney after an arrest. However, many people do not know that law enforcement officers don’t have to say that you’re under arrest, so it’s always better not to say anything. Generally, you are under arrest if you’re in police custody. To find out whether you’re under arrest, ask the police whether you’re free to leave. If they say no, it’s important to ask for a lawyer and then remain silent.
  • Stay Calm and Be Polite – Do not resist arrest or become belligerent. This can harm your case.
  • Remain Silent – Aside from basic information like your name, address, and birthdate, you don’t have to answer questions from law enforcement. If law enforcement tells you you’re not free to leave, tell them, “I wish to remain silent.” Avoid giving any information about the incident, including explanations or opinions.
  • Invoke Your Right to an Attorney – Next, tell the officers that you want a lawyer. Once you clearly state you’re invoking your right to an attorney, law enforcement must stop asking questions. If they try to get you to talk about the crime, do not answer them except to state that you want a lawyer. If the police try to talk to you again once you’ve been booked and are sitting in jail, do not say anything.
  • Do Not Consent to Searches – Finally, the police may ask if they can search your car, home, or other property. Tell them that you do not consent to a search. They may search anyway. Your attorney will address this for you.

After the Arrest

  • Avoid Discussing Your Case – After you’re arrested, avoid talking about your case, even to other prisoners or on jailhouse calls. You should assume that anything you say will be overheard unless you’re talking to your attorney.
  • Contact Greenberg Law Offices – Finally, contact Greenberg Law Offices. You can also call a friend or family member and ask them to call us for you. Don’t give any information except that you’ve been arrested, where you are, and that you need an attorney. Your lawyer will guide you through the next steps, like arraignment, bail hearings, and other pre-trial proceedings.

What Are Maryland’s Drug Possession Laws?

Maryland drug laws include possession of drugs, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Maryland’s drug possession laws prohibit a person from the following:

You cannot possess or administer controlled drugs unless they are obtained directly from an authorized provider “acting in the course of professional practice.” In other words, you aren’t guilty of drug possession if you have a prescription for a controlled substance from a healthcare provider. There is also an exception for Maryland’s legal drugs: you may have a “personal use” amount of cannabis if you’re 21 or older.

This prohibits you from trying to procure controlled drugs through fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge. That includes counterfeiting a prescription, using a false name or address, or pretending to be a drug manufacturer, distributor, or authorized provider.

Similarly, you may not distribute a controlled dangerous substance to other people.

“Intent to distribute” means that you possess a “dangerous substance” in an amount that shows that you intend to distribute or dispense the drug.

Maryland prohibits you from possessing drug paraphernalia with certain intentions. This includes the intent to grow, manufacture, store, conceal, or introduce the drug into your body.

What Are the Sentences for Drug Felonies and Misdemeanors in Maryland?

Maryland has different penalties for drug felonies and misdemeanors. For example, possession of controlled substances (besides marijuana) is a misdemeanor, depending on whether it’s a first offense and the amount of drugs involved. Penalties include the following:

  • First Offense – Up to $5,000 in fines and up to one year of jail time
  • Second Offense and Third Offenses – Up to $5,000 in fines and up to 18 months in prison
  • Fourth and Subsequent Offenses – Up to $5,000 in fines and up to two years in prison

Possession with intent to distribute schedule I and II drugs is a felony. The exact penalties depend on the type of drugs involved. The following are examples:

  • Cocaine and MDMA – First offenses get up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $15,000. Second offenses include up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Subsequent offenses get up to 40 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
  • Heroin and Fentanyl – This adds an additional 10 years in prison.
  • Hallucinogenic Drugs (LSD, PCP) – Possession with intent to distribute hallucinogenic drugs carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
  • Drugs Other Than Schedule I or II – This carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.

Drug trafficking, manufacturing, and possession of certain amounts of drugs have a mandatory minimum of five years in prison plus up to $100,000 in fines. This includes the following:

  • Cocaine – 448 or more grams
  • Fentanyl – Five or more grams
  • LSD – 1,000 or more dosage units
  • Marijuana – 50 or more pounds
  • Methamphetamine – 448 or more grams
  • Opium or Morphine – 28 or more grams
  • PCP – 16 or more ounces

Finally, if you’re convicted of being a “drug kingpin,” you will be sentenced to a mandatory 20 to 40 years in prison and up to $1,000,000 in fines.

What Are the Different Drug Schedules?

Illegal or controlled substances are categorized into “schedules” based on their potential for abuse. Possession of Schedule 1 or 2 drugs is illegal. All the schedules apply to both Maryland state drug crimes and federal drug charges, as follows:

  • Schedule I – Heroin, LSD, and ecstasy have a high potential for abuse, with no accepted medical use.
  • Schedule II – Cocaine, oxycodone, and methamphetamine have a high potential for abuse, but there are some accepted medical uses.
  • Schedules III-V – These drugs have a lower potential for abuse but are still regulated.

What Are Common Defenses in Baltimore Drug Possession Cases?

The best defense for your specific case will depend on which charges you’re facing and what happened. Your Greenberg Law Offices attorney will review your case and determine the best way to minimize or dismiss the charges.

Some common defenses include the following

  • Unlawful search and seizure
  • Lack of possession (the drugs did not belong to you)
  • Chain of custody issues (how evidence was handled)
  • Entrapment
  • Medical marijuana defense