Have you or a loved one recently been charged with drug possession in Fargo, ND?
You need a drug crime lawyer in North Dakota on your side. The hours and days following a drug possession charge can be frightening.
The penalties for drug possession can be severe, depending on the type and quantity of drugs.
These penalties can include:
- Fines,
- Imprisonment, and
- Probation.
The penalties can be just one of these or a combination.
There are also the indirect and perhaps unforeseen consequences of a drug possession conviction.
It can follow you throughout life and make it difficult to apply for a job, enroll in the military, or obtain a mortgage, among other things.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can inform you in detail of the drug possession penalties and sentencing you may face.
What Are the North Dakota Drug Possession Penalties?
In North Dakota, drug possession penalties can vary depending on the type and quantity of drug you are charged with possessing.
In general, it is a class C felony to possess a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), i.e., an illegal drug that you do not have a prescription for.
In North Dakota, some of the most common of these include marjuana, heroin, and methamphetamine.
In North Dakota, if convicted of a Class C felony for drug possession, you could face fines up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
Your charge may be enhanced to a Class B felony if you are found in possession of a CDS within 1,000 feet of a school zone.
A Class B felony carries a fine up to $10,000 and a term of up to 10 years in prison.
You may be subject to enhanced penalties as well as a mandatory minimum sentence if you have prior convictions.
The drug possession penalties can be harsh, but hiring a drug possession attorney in North Dakota will provide you with the best defense against the charges.
Specific Drug Classifications in North Dakota
North Dakota law classifies drugs into 5 categories or schedules.
Most drug possession charges involve Schedule I or Schedule II drugs, which have a high potential for abuse, are unsafe, and can cause severe physical and psychological dependence.
Schedule I drugs do not have any accepted medical use. Examples include heroin, LSD, peyote, and ecstasy.
On the other hand, Schedule II drugs may have some accepted medical use when prescribed by a physician and used properly (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet, morphine, Adderall, codeine).
Let a Drug Possession Attorney in North Dakota Help
There is no doubt any of these penalties can be harsh. Our experienced North Dakota drug crime lawyers can help keep you out of jail and minimize the fines.
If you have been charged with a drug possession crime in North Dakota, you may feel scared and uncertain.
However, just because you have been charged does not mean you will be convicted, and there are several defenses we can raise.
Contact our attorneys at Arechigo & Stokka for a consultation. We have decades of experience and hundreds of successful cases under our belt.
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