Arizona drug possession laws can be complicated to understand, but one thing is clear – if you are facing a drug possession charge, you need to speak to an attorney immediately. At the Nunez Law Firm in Phoenix, Az our knowledgeable and experienced drug possession attorneys are ready to get to work on your behalf today. The penalties for a drug possession conviction are too serious to be ignored, so let us investigate your case and work to get these charges reduced or dismissed.
Drug crime charges like possession must be taken seriously, so you need to turn to a defense attorney with the experience necessary to help you through this. Nunez Law Firm, PLLC is here to help.
18,760 Arizona drug possession arrests in 2020
Drug laws in Arizona are complex, and the severity of a possession charge will depend heavily on the quantity of drugs a person is found to be in possession of. For the purposes of this article, we are going to discuss amounts found to be in possession for personal use. Please understand that possession with intent to distribute or sell a drug will result in much more severe charges under Arizona law.
When working to understand drug possession laws in Arizona, we first need to distinguish between marijuana and other illegal drugs. Yes, marijuana possession is generally illegal in Arizona, but the state has taken a more lenient stance on marijuana-related offenses. Under Arizona Proposition 200, first- and second-time non-violent marijuana possession offenders will typically not face jail time.
While marijuana possession will result in either a misdemeanor or felony charge (depending on the amount of marijuana a person is found to be in possession with), most first- and second-time offenders will be required to participate in diversion or education programs in lieu of incarceration time.
Under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act that was approved in 2010, medical marijuana is allowed to be possessed and consumed by qualifying patients. Under this law, a person who has a medical marijuana card may obtain up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14-day period, and the marijuana must be obtained from a registered medical marijuana dispensary in Arizona. If a medical marijuana patient lives more than 25 miles from the closest dispensary, then they are allowed to cultivate up to 12 plants in an enclosed and locked facility. If you were wrongfully accused of a drug crime related to marijuana, contact our Phoenix drug possession lawyers to help you defend your case.
All medical marijuana cards issued in Arizona contain a photograph of the patient along with their full name, the date of issuance, and the date of expiration. These cards are all now issued digitally, and it is recommended that a person keep this file saved on their phone and available at all times.
When working to determine the potential charges for possession of other dangerous drugs or narcotics, the state of Arizona uses a threshold amount of drugs found on a person. This means that if these “thresholds” are met, then a person will serve mandatory time in prison. These thresholds are as follows:
For any drug not listed above, then the threshold is any amount of the drug valued at $1,000 or more. However, this can be arbitrary because the street value of drugs varies regularly.
However, if a person is found in possession of less than the threshold amounts and it is determined that the drug is for personal use, the person facing charges will generally be eligible for probation and a requirement to attend drug treatment or education programs. Probation is also not uncommon for a second-time offender. Whether this is your first or second offense, our Phoenix drug possession attorney will build a strong defense to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact us for a free consultation.
Because of the complex nature of the drug laws in Arizona, and the various combinations of sentences, It is vital that you secure assistance from a drug possession lawyer in Phoenix as soon as possible. An attorney is going to have the resources necessary to conduct a complete review of the charges against you. An attorney can:
There are several defenses that a drug possession defense lawyer in Phoenix can employ on your behalf. This could include:
If you or someone you care about has been charged with possession of narcotics in Phoenix, you need to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. At the Nunez Law Firm, we are going to handle every aspect of your case. Our goal is to investigate the charges against you in an effort to get them reduced or dismissed altogether. Contact us online or call us at (602) 500-0000 to speak with our experienced drug possession attorneys.
