“Possession of Controlled Drug” NH RSA 318-B:2 

 

Criminal Defense Attorney Joanne M. Stella has represented thousands of people charged with the illegal possession of drugs in New Hampshire. The title of the law itself can be confusing and so can the legal process, however, hiring a good criminal defense attorney like Joanne M. Stella can make all the difference.

 

Possession of a Controlled Drug can encompass a felony or misdemeanor charge and can be for the possession of anything from heroin and other street drugs, to prescription medication such as Adderall, and even marijuana which is still illegal to possess in NH even in small quantities. The process in New Hampshire can be confusing as many people who are arrested are not given a copy of the charge against them; they are only given bail bond paperwork and instructions on when to go to court. Confusing things further is the amount of bail. Many people think the amount of their personal recognizance bail is the amount of the fine they may have to pay and that is just not true. The process right from the get go can be overwhelming and a good criminal defense attorney can make all the difference.

 

Drug charges are taken very seriously in New Hampshire, even small quantities of marijuana can be charged as a misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense. A criminal conviction for a drug charge can result in jail time, fines, loss of driving privileges and a criminal record. Additionally, for college students, like those attending UNH, a conviction can result in the loss of federal financial aid, scholarships and grants, study abroad status and potential expulsion from housing or the school. When you need a good defense, Attorney Stella has your back.

 

Criminal Defense Attorney Joanne M. Stella always pays particular attention to the search and seizure practices of the police in drug possession cases. The first thing she will look into when representing you is whether the search, or other methods used by the police to obtain the drugs, was illegal. Many police officers have only a rudimentary understanding of the constitutional rights citizens have against illegal searches and seizes of their possessions and their homes. Attorney Stella has argued and won hundreds of requests to the Courts to dismiss cases because the drugs were obtained by the police in violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights.

 

Drug cases also present unique challenges for the police in preserving, testing and proving that the substances are in fact a type of controlled drug. An experienced lawyer, such as Criminal Defense Attorney Joanne M. Stella, can make all the difference by providing thorough representation that includes challenging the police departments’ methods and the scientific practices used to test and prove that the drugs are illegal substances.

 

Being arrested and charged with possession of a controlled drug is a scary thing and it can have serious long-term impacts. However, expert legal representation can assure that you get the best result possible. Criminal Defense Attorney Joanne M. Stella will make every effort to avoid a conviction. Many cases can be negotiated through effective advocacy for drug education and/or counseling in combination with community service to avoid a criminal record. Contact Attorney Stella right away for a free consultation.