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Helping people accused of various drug crimes in Connecticut
If you have been accused of a drug crime in Connecticut, it’s essential that you call an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. You may be aware that Connecticut law imposes strict penalties on you if you are convicted of drug offenses. If you have been accused of these kinds of crimes, you are likely scared, confused, and unsure of how to proceed. Without legal counsel, the criminal justice system can seem bewildering. Prosecutors may tell you that your best course of action is to simply plead guilty and move on with your life. Yet pleading guilty without the advice of a trusted counsel is seldom an advisable solution. There are many ways in which an experienced criminal defense attorney can help. Sometimes—especially in cases where law enforcement obtained the primary evidence in an illegal manner—an attorney may even be able to get the allegations against you dropped or dismissed. The best way to make sure that your legal rights are fully protected is to get an experienced lawyer immediately.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced Connecticut drug crimes lawyer, call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC today at 203-327-1500.
Connecticut drug crimes
There are various types of illicit drug-related behavior that are against the law in Connecticut. Some of the more common forms include:
- Possession – While still a consequential matter, simple possession of illegal drugs is perhaps the least serious of the drug-related offenses in Connecticut. In many cases, possession offenses occur after a traffic stop or when a law enforcement officer sees suspicious activity that could indicate drug use. The severity of the offense is often directly tied to the amount of drugs possessed. In many of these cases, constitutional violations occur during the investigative process. If a constitutional violation occurred in your case, it may be possible to exclude the evidence gathered against you —such as drugs seized or confessions made— from court.
- Possession for sale and distribution – Possession for sale and distribution involves the possession of drugs and the intent to sell or distribute the drugs. For instance, simply giving a friend an opioid, such as Fentanyl, would be considered distribution. Generally, intent to sell is concluded from the circumstances of the possession, which could be the amount of drugs found, the way in which the drugs were packaged, the presence of paraphernalia, and communications between you and other individuals.
- Conspiracy – If you agree with someone else to sell drugs, you can be charged with conspiracy, even if you never actually sell or distribute any drugs. You can be found to be a member of a conspiracy if you store someone’s else’s drugs or help another person to store or distribute drugs in any way, including counting any money made from selling the drugs or telling customers where to go. The penalties are greater the higher the amount of drugs involved, and you can be charged with the total amount of drugs involved in the entire conspiracy.
It is critical for anyone accused of a drug offense to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. In many cases, an attorney can help teach you to refrain from saying or doing certain things during the investigative process that could indicate your guilt. Depending on the circumstances, an experienced attorney may be able to get evidence suppressed that could lead to the dismissal of your case. As a result, anyone accused of drug crimes should contact an experienced drug crimes attorney immediately.
Drug possession charges in Connecticut
Any amount of a controlled substance—even residue or trace amounts—can result in a drug possession charge under Connecticut law. To convict someone of drug possession, a prosecutor must prove the following:
- The defendant knew the substance was illegal
- The defendant knew of the substance’s presence
- The defendant had the ability to exercise control over the substance
Possession can either be actual or constructive. Actual possession happens when the drugs are found directly on you or in your belongings. Constructive possession occurs when the drugs a re found in a location away from your person but under your control. For example, if drugs were found in your home, you can be charged with possession even if you were not there at the time.
The possible penalties for a state drug possession charge will depend on the type and quantity of the substance. In addition, penalties can increase if the possession took place close to a school or if you have any prior drug convictions. However, any type of drug possession conviction can come with fines and jail time, as well as a mark on your criminal record that can affect your life in many ways.
The good news is there are many ways our attorneys can defend against drug possession allegations to reduce your charges or sentence or have your case dropped. Some defenses may involve proving that a search of your person or home was illegal, or that you are a drug- dependent person—both of which can mean lesser penalties under state law. Please call our experienced Connecticut drug crime defense lawyers so that we can evaluate your case today.
Connecticut drug distribution and trafficking cases
Possession is only the beginning of possible drug-related charges under Connecticut drug laws. If you’re accused of possessing drugs amid certain circumstances, the prosecutor may increase the charges to possession with intent to sell or illegal distribution. For example, if you are accused of possessing a small amount of opioids that may be common for personal use, a simple possession charge may follow. However, if you are accused of possessing a large amount that is more than an individual would normally possess, the prosecutor may escalate it into a trafficking case.
Other circumstances that may lead to distribution or trafficking charges include having had:
- Large amounts of cash
- Ad rug sale or distribution that was witnessed
- or measuring devices
- were in small individual packages or packaging materials
A common defense against intent to sell or distribute is that the circumstances present do not sufficiently support the assumption that you had such intentions.
Distribution and trafficking cases are substantially more serious than simple possession charges, and a conviction can often lead to time in prison and hefty fines. Certain aggravating factors may lead to a mandatory minimum amount of prison time. Because the stakes are so high, it is critical to be represented by a highly skilled criminal defense team that understands how to defend against Connecticut drug charges.
Discuss your case with a Connecticut drug crimes lawyer today
A drug-related conviction can have an extremely negative impact on your life. As court proceedings are part of the public record, the existence of your case and its disposition will be easily accessible to anyone with the motivation to find it. In addition, you may be subject to significant legal penalties imposed by the court, including extensive jail time. Consequently, people who are accused of drug offenses in Connecticut should retain legal counsel immediately.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in the legal field and now they devote their practice to vigorously defending the rights of people accused of criminal offenses. We take a >rigorous 360-degree approach to defending the rights of individuals facing Connecticut criminal charges. To schedule a consultation, call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC in Connecticut today at 203-327-1500.
