Helping People Accused of Opioid & Fentanyl Possession Crimes
If you have been accused of the illegal possession or sale of fentanyl or other opioid drug, you should call an attorney as soon as you can. Representation by a criminal defense lawyer may help you avoid the most serious consequences that can be imposed by the court—and may even result in the complete dismissal of your case.
At Koffsky & Felsen, LLC, we understand how terrifying it can be to face accusations of violating state or federal drug laws. We provide aggressive, compassionate, and effective criminal defense representation to people accused of crimes related to the possession or sale of opioid drugs. Our lawyers will consider every possible defense available, and are not hesitant to take a case to trial if it is in our clients’ best interests. To schedule a case evaluation with one of our lawyers, call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC today at (203) 327-1500 or send us an email through our online contact form.
The Opioid Epidemic and Prescription Drugs
Opioids are a class of drugs generally used to treat pain. The illegal street drug heroin is a type of opioid, as are related prescription drugs like codeine, morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. These drugs are highly addictive, even when they are used as prescribed, and many observers believe that we are in the midst of an opioid epidemic. In fact, many people who are facing criminal charges based on the illegal possession of opioid drugs started using them for legitimate medical purposes. As a result, many states have passed legislation limiting the prescription of opioids.
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. In a medical setting, the drug is generally used to treat individuals who are experiencing severe pain, recovering from surgery, or suffering from chronic pain and have built up a resistance to other opioids. When used without medical supervision, fentanyl is extremely dangerous due to its potency and quick action. As a result, law enforcement has made drug crime enforcement a priority and is actively on the lookout for people who illegally sell or use fentanyl or other opioids.
Fentanyl and Opioid Offenses Can Result in Significant Legal Penalties
If you have been arrested for the illegal possession of fentanyl or other opioids, it is important to understand that even first-time offense can result in serious legal penalties. Typically, the severity of the consequences that a person faces depends largely on the type and amount of the drug possessed. If you are caught illegally possessing even a few opioid pills, you could be face:
- Significant fines
- Probation
- Mandatory drug testing and education
- Community service
- Jail time
If you are in possession of a large amount of illegal drugs or are part of an organized effort to distribute them, you could face extremely serious criminal charges and significant jail time. In addition, many cases involving drug distribution are brought in federal court, where the stakes are often higher. As a result, if you have been accused of crimes related to drug distribution, you should call an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
A Drug Conviction Can Affect Your Opportunities Well into the Future
While these potential legal consequences are themselves serious, if you have been accused of a drug crime, understand that a drug conviction on your record could haunt you long after any sentence imposed by the court has ended. According to one survey, almost three out of four employers conduct background checks on all employees before hiring them, so the presence of a drug conviction on your record may make it extremely difficult to get a job. In addition, many schools inquire about an applicant’s criminal history before granting admission, so a youthful drug conviction could hurt your ability to pursue your professional aspirations.
Defenses May Be Available
As a defendant in a drug case, keep in mind that not every drug arrest results in a conviction. Drug cases typically arise when the police search a person’s vehicle, home, or person and find them in possession of contraband. When the police conduct a search that violates the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures, an attorney may be able to move to exclude any illegally gathered evidence from court. Typically, without access to the drug evidence, prosecutors are forced to drop a case entirely.
The law related to searches and seizures is extremely complicated, and it can be nearly impossible for a person without legal training to recognize when their rights have been violated. For this reason, anyone arrested for a drug offense that was the result of a search should have their case reviewed by an experienced Connecticut criminal defense lawyer.
Connecticut Drug Court May Be an Option
In some cases, it may be possible for a person accused of a drug offense to enter into “drug court,” which is a program that involves substance abuse treatment, assistance with employment or education, and court supervision. If the program is successfully completed, a case is usually dismissed entirely—meaning that no conviction is entered into the defendant’s criminal record.
Similarly, certain drug offenders are able to enroll in pretrial drug education programs. Once the defendant is evaluated, the court may suspend prosecution and instead assign substance abuse treatment or drug intervention programs.
Participation in drug court or the pretrial drug education program is at the discretion of the court, so anyone interested in getting into the program should retain an attorney familiar with these diversionary programs.
Call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC Today to Speak with a Fentanyl and Opioid Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested for a criminal offense related to Fentanyl or another opioid, it is essential to retain legal counsel as soon as you can. If you are convicted, you could face extremely serious legal penalties and a criminal record that could affect your life for years to come. At Koffsky & Felsen, LLC, we provide aggressive criminal defense representation and work hard to secure the best possible outcome in each case we handle. To schedule a case evaluation with a fentanyl defense attorney, call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC today at (203) 327-1500 or send us an email through our online contact form.
