Maryland Cocaine Possession Attorneys

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Drug crimes are aggressively prosecuted and oftentimes severely punished. It usually depends on the controlled substance and the actual crime, but law enforcement and prosecutors tend to have zero tolerance for drug offenders, especially repeat offenders. One of the most commonly abused controlled substances in the U.S. is cocaine, a highly addictive stimulant, and one of the most commonly prosecuted crimes is cocaine possession.

Cocaine Possession in Maryland

According to Title 5 of Maryland Criminal Law § 5-601, it is illegal to possess a controlled dangerous substance unless it was obtained directly from or by prescription or ordered from an authorized provider acting in accordance with their professional duty. It also illegal to possess or attempt to possess any such substance by:

• Deceit, misrepresentation, fraud, or subterfuge;
• The alteration or counterfeiting of a prescription or order;
• The use of a false address or name;
• Falsely representing or taking on the title of an authorized provider, manufacturer, or distributor; or
• Issuing, making, or presenting a counterfeit or false written order or prescription.

Penalties

A person who is found guilty of possessing cocaine would be charged with a misdemeanor and be subject to a maximum 4 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $25,000. However, if a person has been found guilty of cocaine possession with intent to distribute, the penalties are much more severe.

Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribute Penalties

Under Maryland code § 5-602, a person would be guilty of possession with intent to distribute if they possess a sufficient quantity of a controlled dangerous substance, like cocaine, to reasonably conclude that there is an intent to dispense or distribute said substance. Because cocaine is a Schedule II drug, a convicted offender would be subject to a felony charge and a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and/or a maximum fine of $25,000.

Protecting Your Future

A cocaine conviction, especially a felony cocaine conviction, can have life-altering consequences. A lengthy prison sentence, fines, and potential rehabilitation programs can take up a large portion of your life, potentially ruining your chances of holding a decent job and keeping personal relationships. One mistake should not decide how you will live the rest of your life. To help protect your personal and professional future, it is important that you not leave your fate in the hands of overzealous prosecutors who may be unreasonably harsh. At Alpert Schreyer, our Bethesda cocaine possession defense attorneys have years of experience defending people charged with various drug crimes throughout Maryland. We aggressively defend the rights of our clients so that they still have a chance at leading a full life. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about legal options at (866) 444-6363.