Maryland Meth Possession Defense Attorneys

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Drug crimes carry heavy penalties in Maryland. Meth is one of the most highly abused and destructive controlled substances in the U.S., encouraging exceedingly harsh prosecution of meth offenders, especially those involved in the production and distribution of meth. One of the most commonly prosecuted meth crimes in Maryland is meth possession.

Meth Possession Law

As per Title 5 of Maryland Criminal Law Code Annotated § 5-601, the possession of a controlled dangerous substance is illegal unless it was obtained directly from an authorized provider, or by prescription/order from an authorized provider, acting in the course of their professional duty. This section also makes it illegal for anyone to possess or attempt to possess meth or any other controlled dangerous substance by way of fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge, including:

• Counterfeiting or altering a prescription or order;
• Using a fictitious address or name;
• Falsely representing or taking the title of an authorized provider; or
• Making, issuing, or presenting a false or fake written order or prescription.

Penalty for Meth Possession

If a person is found guilty of meth possession and convicted, he or she will be charged with a misdemeanor and be sentenced to a maximum of 4 years in prison and/or a maximum $25,000 fine. If there is any indication that the offender intended to distribute the meth in his or her possession, such as possessing a very large quantity, the penalties are more severe. Meth is a Schedule II drug, which means a conviction of meth possession with intent to distribute would carry a felony charge with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and/or a maximum fine of $25,000. Repeat offenders suffer even harsher penalties.

Protecting Your Future

A meth conviction can have life-altering consequences. A person may forever lose the decent job and family they once had after years in prison, excessive fines, and potentially months or years in rehabilitation programs. Recovering from meth addiction is a long, frustrating, and even painful process. By the time you have served your time and are clean, everything you care about may be gone.

Drug crime cases are rarely cut and dry. There may be mitigating factors at work that a prosecutor would easily ignore. This is why you need an aggressive defense attorney. At Alpert Schreyer, our Bethesda meth possession defense lawyers have years of experience in handling drug crime cases throughout Maryland and are committed to protecting our clients' legal rights. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us today for a free consultation at (866) 444-6363.