Drug possession is a crime in Arizona. This remains true even though our society’s view on the use of substances, such as marijuana, is changing. While popular culture currently paints drug possession as as something which is becoming more tolerated, residents of our state will be facing criminal charges. Such matters need to be taken seriously by the accused. Bretton Barber is a Phoenix criminal defense attorney standing up for the rights of those charged with drug possession. Contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.
Phoenix-area lawyer defending against marijuana, narcotic, and dangerous drug possession charges
Arizona classifies controlled substances into multiple classifications.
- Dangerous drugs- includes methamphetamines, LSD, steroids, ecstasy, mescaline, clonazepam, alprazolam, and others
- Narcotic drugs such as cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and opium.
- Marijuana
Peyote and drugs which emit a toxic vapor also have their own categories. Arrests and convictions for those types of drugs are rare. The penalties for possessing a drug in any of the above-mentioned categories will largely depend on the type of drug at issue as well as the amount. Under Prop 200, most first and second time drug offenders will generally not be sentenced to jail time if they were arrested for personal possession. Exceptions to this rule exist for those previously convicted of a violent offense, for those possessing certain dangerous drugs, or if other aggravated circumstances are present.
There are a number of ways for Arizona residents to deal with drug possession charges. If a person wishes to avoid a criminal conviction then the TASC program may be an option. TASC helps adult defendants defer prosecution if strict requirements are met. If search and seizure issues were present during the arrest, and a defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights were violated, then one may wish to skip TASC and fight the charges outright. The same is true for those who possess a valid prescription or medical marijuana card.
Attorney Bretton Barber will aggressively defend your rights and help you reach the best decision for your future. He will immediately acquire the arrest reports, as well as other evidence, and determine whether your constitutional rights were infringed upon by law enforcement. If violations are present then he will file the necessary motions to exclude any evidence from court proceedings. He will also explore other issues related to your defense and help you pursue the best strategy for your particular situation – whether it be entering the TASC program or going to trial. We will be in regular contact with you throughout the process and Bretton regularly provides clients with his personal cell phone number. He often communicates with people outside of normal business hours and ensures that you know what to expect from the process. Call our lawyer today. In addition to Phoenix we represent defendants in other Maricopa County cities such as Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Gilbert. We also assist Pima County residents in Tucson.
Phoenix attorney helping people move on from drug possession convictions through expungements and conviction set asides
Many people have been convicted of drug possession and are struggling to move on with their life. This is because they have a permanent record which they must disclose on job applications and other background checks. Many people don’t realize that a drug conviction will automatically result in disqualification for student loans, public benefits, and other consequences. Our attorney helps Phoenix area residents move on from such situations by handling either a record expungement or a conviction set aside. Bretton believes that if one has completed their requirements then they should not be restrained from building a positive future. Contact our office today.
