Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys in Las Vegas, NV
Schedule a Free Case EvaluationDrug Crimes Defense Attorneys in Las Vegas, NV
It is important to remember that an arrest is not yet a conviction. However, any small conviction for possessing a controlled substance can have a lasting impact on your criminal record even if you did not serve time for it. A second conviction could have severe repercussions on a penalty range.
If you have been arrested on charges of criminal possession or other drug offenses, do not hesitate to contact our attorneys for a free consultation. Drug crimes in Nevada have varying penalties and fines, depending on the type of substance and the amount.
Drug offenses in Las Vegas include the following:
- Drug possession
- Drug trafficking
- Drug manufacturing
- Drug transport
- Driving under the influence
Each offense will range in penalties and largely depend on the facts and circumstances of the arrest and the type and quantity of the substance involved. Additionally, drug offenses concerning possession have more lenient sentences than drug offenses involving drug trafficking. The difference between the two types of crimes is the amount of substance found when you are arrested. Treating each arrest with importance is important since even a small misdemeanor conviction can impact your future. Drug trafficking crimes will only apply to situations where the defendant is arrested with Schedule I or Schedule II substances.
Drug crime in Nevada has serious legal consequences. Upon conviction, you may face years in prison and steep fines. The penalties will vary based on the type of substance, the amount involved, and the circumstances of the incident. Nevada laws make it a crime to manufacture, possess, and sell drugs.
If you’re accused of violating drug crimes, your first call should be to secure an experienced defense lawyer. The government prosecutes drug cases aggressively, so you need someone who can anticipate and prepare for what may be ahead. The attorney team at De Castroverde Law Group has put together this overview of Nevada’s drug charges.
Nevada’s Drug Schedule
Like the federal government, Nevada laws categorize drugs into a series of “schedules” that correlate to the dangerousness of various substances. The riskiest substances go into Schedule I while the least risky are in Schedule V.
Generally speaking, the most severe sentences involve Schedule I substances. But Nevada law considers the circumstances involved when establishing punishment, so even possession of Schedule V drugs can lead to lengthy prison sentences and fines. Here’s a rundown of Nevada’s controlled substances schedules.
Schedule I Substances
Schedule I drugs have the greatest potential for addiction and abuse but have no generally accepted use in medical treatments.
Examples: methamphetamine, GHB, Heroin, Ecstasy, PCP, LSD, and Peyote.
Schedule II Substances
Schedule II drugs also have a severe potential for abuse. They’re in Schedule II partly because they have an approved medical treatment. But they still may lead to dependence.
Examples: cocaine, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, opium, oxycodone, barbiturates, and Ritalin.
Schedule III Substances
Schedule III substances are slightly less likely to be abused than Schedule II. Drugs in this category may lead to moderate or low physical or high psychological dependence.
Examples: anabolic steroids, nalorphine, ketamine, or testosterone.
Schedule IV Substances
Drugs in the second-to-final category have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule III drugs but also have an approved medical use. These substances may cause limited dependence.
Examples: Ambien, Xanax, Valium, Clonazepam, Rohypnol, and other sedatives.
Schedule V Substances
Schedule V includes substances with a low potential for abuse compared to Schedule IV. These medications must have an accepted medical use in the United States. In comparison to Schedule IV, Schedule V drugs have a lower risk of physical or psychological dependence.
Examples: substances with codeine and opium.
Penalties for Drug Offenses in Nevada
Prison sentences for drug offenses will vary depending on whether the charge is for possession, trafficking, or manufacturing of illegal controlled substances.
Possession crimes are normally considered Class E felonies under Nevada law in a first offense, which is punished by one to four years in prison but can be eligible for probation. Subsequent offenses elevate the charges to a Class D felony, which also carries a prison sentence of one to four years but comes with a maximum fine of $25,000.
A few additional examples of penalties for various drug crimes include:
- Providing a controlled substance that leads to someone’s death can result in a murder charge, which is a Class A felony, the most serious charge under Nevada law. A conviction could lead to a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
- A second or subsequent conviction for providing a minor with a controlled substance can result in a Class A felony charge, with a possible penalty of life with the opportunity of parole after 15 years.
- Trafficking in controlled substances from Schedule II is either a Class C felony, a Class B felony, or a Class A felony, depending on the quantity of the substance.
- Opening and maintaining a location that sells illegal controlled substances is a Class B felony, with potential penalties of one to six years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Subsequent offenses elevate the potential penalty to two to 10 years.
Nevada takes drug crimes very seriously. You need proper legal counsel immediately if you’re arrested on drug charges. The attorney team at De Castroverde Law Group is here to represent your interests and chart the best possible resolution.
Is Marijuana Still Illegal in Nevada?
In 2016, Nevada voters adopted an initiative to regulate and tax marijuana, which legalized purchasing, possessing, and consuming the substance for adults over the age of 21 as of Jan. 1, 2017. Under the state’s regulations, a person can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana or 1/8 of an ounce of concentrated marijuana. Retail sales are permitted only through licensed retail marijuana stores.
One important note. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, which creates the risk of conflicts between the two laws. Federal prosecutors are required to consider a range of factors, including the seriousness of the underlying offense or offenses, before filing marijuana charges.
Fighting Drug Charges
In our legal system, you have a presumption of innocence. That means the government must prove every element of a stated crime beyond a reasonable doubt. You have the right, but not an obligation, to present evidence in your defense. The experienced attorneys at De Castroverde Law can review the facts and evidence in your case and work toward building that defense.
There are a few areas to explore:
- Arguing that the government has failed to present evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Presenting evidence that brings the government’s case into question.
- Proving that government agents violated your constitutional rights to the extent that the charges cannot go forward.
De Castroverde Law Group will explore possibilities in each category to reduce the charges or get them dismissed.
If you’re charged with a drug offense, you need experienced legal advice immediately. The team at De Castroverde Law Group is ready to fight for your rights. Our attorneys include former prosecutors who understand how criminal cases are built and where to find the weaknesses. We will work with you to find a proper resolution. Our team has experience in all areas of criminal law. Call us or contact us online for a free consultation.
What Can our Drug Crimes Lawyers We Help You With?
De Castroverde Law Group has helped countless clients defend against serious charges, including:
World-Class Criminal Defense
Former district attorney Frank Johan Coumou discusses the De Castroverde Law Group’s unparalleled experience defending clients against all types of criminal charges.
How Can a Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me?
De Castroverde Law Group is dedicated to helping someone like you. Someone who has been criminally charged, who has been arrested or someone who knows that they are under criminal investigation. These are frightening scenarios and are usually accompanied by high levels of stress. If you find that you are in a situation similar to this, we highly encourage you to look around our site. Your Las Vegas criminal attorney can do the following:
Conduct / oversee all communication with law enforcement to help ensure you do not say something that may result in unintentionally incriminating yourself; - Work with professionals in forensics and other fields to conduct an independent investigation;
- Interview witnesses and law enforcement to get a clearer picture of what occurred – possibly to uncover information or evidence in your favor;
- Negotiate with the prosecuting attorney to lessen the charges and therefore the potential penalties that you may otherwise face; and
- In criminal court, your Las Vegas criminal lawyer can assert your rights and help the judge and jury understand your side of the story in order to work toward a ruling in your favor.
- If you have been accused and are looking for high-quality representation, you should not hesitate to consult with a Las Vegas criminal lawyer from our firm. De Castroverde Law Group is prepared and determined to offer you dedicated and detailed legal defense, and we provide attentive legal guidance to support our clients’ entire proceedings.We have been successful in helping countless clients to get their lives back on track and can help you to fight for your legal rights.
Information & Frequently Asked Questions
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The Las Vegas Criminal Trial Process
Understanding the criminal trial procedures and overall process is crucial when you have been charged in Las Vegas. A trial may seem tidy on television shows, but it is usually a long and technical process which can take months or even years to resolve. There are many aspects to a trial, the first of which is deciding whether the defense wants the trial to be done by judge or jury. If it is to be done by jury, the selection process, known as “voir dire,” consists of the prosecution and defense asking questions to potential jurors.
In a trial, surprises are not allowed. Witnesses must be submitted beforehand, and both parties given the opportunity to question them. Any relevant evidence must also be submitted beforehand and agreed upon by the judge and opponent. Witnesses and evidence can be deliberated, as one party is allowed to argue against something being allowed in trial.
Cross-examination of witnesses happens next, and your lawyer can question the validity of their claims. If they feel that the prosecution has not produced enough evidence to convince a jury of guilt, they can move to have the trial dismissed. If that is not granted, then the defense will have the opportunity to show inaccuracies in the prosecution’s case. After all of this, each side presents closing arguments, and the jury is given instructions before the deliberate everything they have heard. The final step is verdict and, if necessary, sentencing.
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Common Defenses In a Criminal Trial
Defense strategy in a Las Vegas court will depend on the type of crime and the circumstances surrounding it. As with all criminal cases, there is a presumption of innocence until guilt is proven through trial or a plea. The presumption of innocence is the basis of a not guilty plea, in which your attorney will procure evidence and witnesses to build your case.
This is done to convince the jury that there is reasonable doubt about your guilt. It’s not enough for a jury to just think that you did it; the evidence has to be almost overwhelming. If it’s applicable, you and your lawyer will use the alibi defense. If the crime occurred at a certain time or place, and you can provide evidence that you weren’t there. For example, if the crime happened between 9:00 and 11:00 pm, but you were at a movie, a ticket stub or the receipt for your popcorn could absolve you of guilt.
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What is Bail and How Is it Determined in Nevada?
Unless you have been arrested after already being released from prison or are currently serving a suspended sentence, you will likely be admitted to bail. Bail is a dollar amount necessary to be released from prison after an arrest, and is determined by the judge of magistrate. This release is temporary, and is usually also made under the condition that you will appear in court.
Bail is set based on the nature and severity of the offense for which you are accused. Another thing that the judge considers is the likelihood that you will attempt to leave town or break the law again should you not be in prison. A “bail algorithm” is used which considers several other factors, such as age, health, criminal history and record of failing to appear in court, if one exists. This is done to avoid any accusation of bias against or towards the defendant.
The magistrate has the authority to set a bail amount as they see fit. A person arrested for drunk driving will have their bail determined by how far over the legal limit they were, whether they caused an accident and whether there are any injuries. For all other crimes – from petty theft to murder and everything in between – the bail will be set by a judge. The amount of bail for domestic violence or battery is predetermined by Nevada state law, and depends on whether you saw a judge or magistrate and how long after the crime you were admitted:
$3,000 – If the person has no prior arrests and there’s no reason to believe that the battery caused significant bodily harm and is admitted less than 12 hours after the crime. If it’s been more than 12 hours, violating a restraining order, stalking or harassment would also receive this bail amount.
$5,000 – If it’s been less than 12 hours: no previous convictions but the battery caused significant harm, or they have one previous conviction of domestic violence but didn’t cause significant harm. If it’s been more than 12 hours: previous conviction of violating a restraining order, stalking or harassment.
$15,000 – If it’s been less than 12 hours: one previous conviction of domestic violence and they caused significant harm, or two previous battery convictions. More than 12 hours: two or more previous convictions of harassment, stalking or violating a restraining order.
Many factors are considered when choosing whether to release someone without bail, such as whether conditions outside of prison will still prevent someone from attempting to flee, as well as employment history, criminal history and mental state. If you fail to appear in court or commit a crime while on bail, then you will be held in prison. -
Prisoner’s Rights in Nevada
No matter the crime for which you have been arrested, you are entitled to fair and just treatment under federal law. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) outlines all of the rights you as an inmate would have:
Freedom of speech and religion – You still have the right to communicate with family and the outside world, as well as send and receive mail. The latter is subject to the institution’s need to protect security, and assuming there is no security risk are not allowed to be confiscated.
Medical and mental health care – All of your needs in this regard have to be met. Whether it’s something simple such as asthma and you need your inhaler or something that could be fatal if left unmedicated, you have a right to sustain your health.
Cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions – This pertains to many things: overcrowding, violence or abuse and mistreatment based on race, gender or religion are against the law.
If you have been incarcerated and you feel your rights in any regard have been violated, seek counsel from an experience attorney. Constitutional rights are extended to all citizens no matter what, so if these protections aren’t afforded to you by the prison officers, you have a right to a lawsuit.
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By far the best lawyers you could ask for. They completely alleviate you from any stress and hassles from your case and they always end up giving good news. I’m so happy I was able to utilize De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers and would never consider going anywhere else. Craig Hendricks and his team are phenomenal.Gianna G.
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