New Mexico is quickly becoming one of the most aggressive states regarding pressing charges against people accused of drug crimes. Drug crimes encompass a range of offenses, including drug trafficking, illegal drug possession, and drug sales. If you are charged with a drug crime, contact a drug crimes lawyer in Las Vegas, New Mexico at Grano Law Offices, P.C. to protect your rights and fight for you against prosecution.
Get a Free Case Strategy Session Today
If you or your loved one needs to fight felony or misdemeanor drug charges, do not make any statements to the police, and do not back down. Start with a Free Case Strategy Session to learn more about your legal options in advance by sending a message to our office here. If you would like a more immediate response, call us now at (505) 426-8711.
Grano Law Offices, P.C. Will Fight Your Drug Charges
The charges brought against you for drug crimes fall into various categories depending upon the type and amount of the drug involved and your activity at the time of the arrest. If you hire a drug crimes lawyer in Las Vegas, NM at Grano Law Offices, P.C., our firm will investigate the circumstances of your case to build a theory that seeks to get your state charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed. Our objective is always to mitigate the negative effects of drug charges on your life.
Hire Marc Grano and his legal team will push back against the prosecutor’s allegations for matters involving:
- Simple drug possession
- Possession with intent to sell
- Drug paraphernalia charges
- Drug trafficking
- Drug manufacturing
- Drug dealing
- Prescription fraud
You do not have to assume responsibility for a crime that you did not commit. A drug crimes lawyer in Las Vegas, New Mexico at Grano Law Offices, P.C. wants to help you with a Free Case Strategy Session.
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Your Drug Charges Are Defensible with a Drug Crimes Lawyer in Las Vegas, NM
If you face criminal charges in New Mexico, it means that you have been arrested, a court complaint has been filed against you, or a grand jury has delivered an indictment against you. There must be probable cause to believe you have committed a crime, and there should be evidence to support these charges.
Hire Representation As Soon As Possible
If you believe that you are the subject of a criminal investigation, I may be able to begin representing you immediately. Once retained, I will notify law enforcement and the district attorney’s office that I represent you. I will assert your rights on your behalf and inform them that they may not contact you for purposes of the investigation unless they go through me.
You Do Not Have to Face the Justice System Alone
As your drug crimes lawyer in Las Vegas, NM, I can provide evidence and arguments against these initial steps, which lead to arrest. In many cases, I can make an appearance in court instead of my client being arrested and going to jail.
The Penalties of a Drug Conviction Are Steep
Criminal courts have the power to levy a variety of penalties if you are found guilty of a crime. These can include fines, jail time, community service, restitution, counseling and drug rehabilitation, probation, electronic monitoring, driver’s licenses revocation and asset forfeiture.
The penalties for drug crimes in New Mexico are dependent on many factors. These factors include:
- The quantity of drugs possessed
- The circumstances of your possession
- Any previous criminal history
- Any previous convictions for drug trafficking
- Where the drug trafficking occurred
- Who was involved in the transaction
A charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs, is a fourth-degree felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Possession Penalties
The New Mexico statutes, state it is against the law to be in the unlawful possession of controlled substances, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs that have not been prescribed to you.
Most possession charges are treated as felonies in New Mexico. The severity of the penalty for possession of a controlled substance depends on the drug’s quantity and classification. If the amount of drugs found on your person or in your car or home is deemed to be more than what is necessary for personal use, a possession charge may be elevated to a more severe charge that carries higher penalties, such as possession with intent to distribute, which is a second-degree felony.
Possession of marijuana charge ranges in severity from a civil penalty to a full misdemeanor. If the amount possessed is enough to charge you with intent to distribute, the charge could be enhanced to a third-degree felony, depending on the amount of marijuana possessed.
Drug Trafficking Penalties
Drug trafficking is the manufacturing, distribution, or possession with the intent to distribute enumerated controlled substances. Even if no money has exchanged hands yet, you could still be charged with drug trafficking. The courts will consider “indicia of trafficking,” which may include the way the drugs are packaged, the presence of packaging materials, scales, money, ledgers, or other similar items.
A charge of Drug Trafficking cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, as well as prescription drugs is a second-degree felony punishable by up to nine years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A second or subsequent conviction for drug trafficking is a first-degree felony and is punishable by a minimum mandatory sentence of 18 years in prison.
Enhancements Can Result in More Strict Sentences
A maximum sentence for Drug Trafficking may be subject to enhancements under specific criteria, including minors’ distribution, minors’ use in drug crimes, drug crimes in a Drug-Free School Zone, or a prior conviction of drug trafficking. All potential enhancements are significant and must be carefully assessed on a case by case basis with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Defending Drug Charges in New Mexico
If the complaint is filed and you have been arrested, you will need to appear at an arraignment or first appearance. Here, the judge will advise you of your charges, minimum and maximum penalties, notify you of your constitutional rights, set bail, and impose conditions of release, if necessary.
What a Drug Crimes Lawyer in Las Vegas, NM Will Do for You
As your drug crime attorney, I can argue for a release without posting the bond and for the fairest conditions of release. I will also enter a not guilty plea on your behalf and deny the allegations on your behalf, depending on whether the charges are misdemeanors or felonies. We will obtain discovery from the prosecution, review the discovery, begin a defense investigation, and prepare a defense as we continue to assess your case.
