Drug Crimes Attorney in Gonzales, Louisiana

Being charged with a drug-related offense can have severe implications for your future, including potential jail time, hefty fines, and a criminal record that can affect your employment opportunities and personal relationships. Understanding Louisiana's strict drug laws is important, and having a skilled criminal defense attorney can significantly impact the outcome of your case. 

At Allen V. Davis & Associates, we are experienced in defending our clients against a wide range of drug charges, from possession and distribution to manufacturing and trafficking. If you or someone you know is facing a drug crime charge, we can help.  

What Constitutes a Drug Crime?

In Louisiana, a drug crime is an offense that involves the illegal possession, use, sale, distribution, or production of a controlled substance. The drugs in question can range from illegal narcotics, such as cocaine or heroin, to prescription medications that are obtained or used unlawfully.  

Louisiana law categorizes drug crimes into various offenses based on the seriousness of each act. The types of drug crimes include: 

• Drug Possession: Possessing controlled substances for personal use. This can be further subdivided into simple possession or possession with intent to distribute, depending on the quantity of the drug and other circumstantial evidence. 

• Possession With Intent to Distribute: Possessing drugs in large quantities or packaged in a way that suggests distribution, which typically results in felony charges. 

• Drug Trafficking: Selling, transporting, or illegally distributing drugs. Trafficking typically refers to the large-scale movement of controlled substances and is penalized more severely. 

• Drug Manufacturing: Involves the production of illegal drugs. This can include growing illegal plants (e.g., marijuana) or creating synthetic drugs in a laboratory (e.g., methamphetamine). 

• Prescription Fraud: Obtaining prescription medication through forgery, deceit, or fraud.  

At Allen V. Davis & Associates, we provide the legal expertise and guidance you need to understand your drug crime charges and how to create a strong defense.

Louisiana Drug Crime Law

In Louisiana, drug crimes can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on certain factors such as the type of drug involved, the amount or weight of the controlled substance, the intent to distribute, and the defendant's criminal history. 

Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, controlled substances are categorized into schedules based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and safety under medical supervision. This classification plays a critical role in determining the severity of drug crime charges and penalties:  

• Schedule I: Includes drugs with a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. This includes drugs like heroin, LSD, marijuana (varies by state), and ecstasy. 

• Schedule II: These substances have a high potential for abuse but may have accepted medical uses with severe restrictions. Abuse of drugs in this category may lead to psychological or physical dependence. Examples include cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone, meperidine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. 

• Schedule III: Drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence and have accepted medical uses. This category includes substances such as anabolic steroids, testosterone, ketamine, and some products containing codeine. 

• Schedule IV: Drugs and other substances with a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III substances. These include prescription medications such as clonazepam, diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam (Xanax). 

• Schedule V: Substances with a lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV drugs and which have limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Examples include cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters or 100 grams. 

Understanding the classification of drugs is essential for comprehending the severity of drug charges in Louisiana. At Allen V. Davis & Associates, we are committed to providing our clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about Louisiana drug laws and the nuances of drug crime charges. 

Penalties for Drug Crimes in Louisiana

The penalties for drug possession, distribution, and trafficking in Louisiana vary widely depending on the schedule of the drug involved and the intended use of the drug. Here's a general outline of the potential penalties: 

• Possession of Schedule I or II Drugs: Up to 10 to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 

• Possession of Schedule III, IV, or V Drugs: Up to 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of $5,000 or less 

• Possession with Intent to Distribute (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.): Felony charge, with penalties ranging from 2 years to life in prison, depending on schedule type and quantity. 

• Drug Trafficking: A fine of $250,000 or more and significant jail time, possibly life imprisonment without the possibility of parole depending on the drug and amount. 

• Prescription Drug Offenses: Misdemeanor or felony charges, with fines up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison. 

The penalties for drug crimes can be even more severe if the defendant has prior convictions or if the charges involve distributing drugs to minors or near schools. At Allen V. Davis & Associates, we understand the strict stance Louisiana takes on drug crimes and we have the knowledge and experience to craft a robust defense strategy. 

How We Can Help With Your Drug Crime Defense

Regardless of the charges you are facing, our skilled drug crimes attorney can help defend against drug-related charges including: 

• Illegal Search and Seizure: In many drug crime cases, evidence is obtained through unlawful searches or seizures by law enforcement officers. We will thoroughly analyze your case for any constitutional violations or other issues that could lead to the charges being dropped. 

• Insufficient Evidence: The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the alleged drug crime. Our skilled attorney can challenge the evidence presented and advocate for your innocence. 

• Legal Technicalities: Louisiana has strict laws and procedures that need to be followed in drug crime cases. We will examine every aspect of your case, from the initial investigation to the arrest and trial, to identify any technicalities that could lead to dismissed or reduced charges. 

• Negotiating Plea Deals: Our attorney can work with the prosecution to negotiate a plea deal that could result in reduced charges or a lighter sentence. 

• Alternative Sentencing Options: In some cases, we can help explore alternative options for resolving your drug crime charge, such as diversion programs or probation. These options can help you avoid jail time and address any underlying issues related to substance abuse. 

At Allen V. Davis & Associates, our team has the expertise and dedication needed to navigate Louisiana drug laws. We will provide a vigorous defense tailored to your specific case and aim to either reduce the severity of the charges or seek complete dismissal when possible.