New Hampshire Prescription Drug Lawyer
The State of New Hampshire has several controlled substance laws on the books, and the right to use or possess controlled substances is significantly limited under most circumstances. In instances where a drug has some medical use, under the law, use and possession of that drug is typically limited to instances where the holder has a valid prescription for the drug.
Under New Hampshire law, drug charges may be felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the circumstances, as well as the amount and type of the drug possessed. Drug charges may be prosecuted at both the state and federal court levels, and the penalties upon conviction may be severe. If you have incurred drug charges in the State of New Hampshire, you need an experienced substance attorney on your side every step of the way. A New Hampshire prescription drug lawyer can review all of the facts and circumstances of your individual case and may be able to help you obtain a dismissal of your charges and/or a favorable plea deal with the prosecution.
Felonies vs. Misdemeanors
Felony drug crimes are punishable by more than one year of incarceration, along with fines and other penalties. Misdemeanors are generally punishable by up to one year of incarceration and/or by a fine or other penalty. Many drug crimes can be classified as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending upon the classification of the drug, the amount of the drug at issue, and whether the person is charged with simple drug possession, drug sale, or drug trafficking. The penalties for a felony conviction are higher than those for a misdemeanor conviction.
Types of Prescription Drug Charges
Possessing or distributing a prescription drug without possessing a validly executed prescription for that drug is illegal and gets people into trouble. Anyone facing charges for an offense related to medication should contact a New Hampshire prescription drug lawyer about how to proceed.
Some of the most common types of prescription drugs that are illegally possessed and/or distributed include the following:
- Lortab
- Percocet
- OxyContin
- Oxycodone
- Vicodin
- Methadone
New Hampshire criminal charges that may arise in the prescription drug context include the following:
- Simple possession
- Possession with intent to distribute
- Drug distribution or drug trafficking
- Illegally growing narcotics
- Filing a prescription multiple times
- Writing fake prescriptions
Penalties for Drug Convictions
Penalties upon conviction for a New Hampshire prescription drug charge depend largely upon the drug classification, the type and quantity of the drug(s) at issue, the nature and circumstances of the charge, and the number of prior drug-related offenses or convictions. New Hampshire prescription drug lawyers can help potential clients build the most relevant defense argument before presenting in court.
Some of the most common types of penalties imposed in substance cases include the following:
- Fines
- Incarceration
- Community service
- Mandatory attendance at drug abuse treatment programs
Defenses to Prescription Drug Charges
All drug crimes have legal defenses associated with them. Some of the most common defenses to drug charges include improper or deficient Miranda warnings, illegal search or seizure of the drugs, lack of probable cause, illegal traffic stop (i.e. when drugs are found in a motor vehicle), drugs not in plain view (i.e. when drugs are found in a home or vehicle), and/or improper interrogation techniques employed by law enforcement officers.
New Hampshire does not treat drug crimes lightly. If you are caught possessing or distributing a prescription drug – or attempting to do so without a valid prescription – the penalties can be significant. An attorney may be able to help you obtain a dismissal of your case or a charge reduction. You should feel free to contact an experienced New Hampshire prescription drug lawyer at any time, via telephone or email, for a free initial consultation.