Why Is It Especially Important for Students to Fight Drug Charges?

When students are caught possessing or distributing drugs, they may incur serious penalties upon conviction, including fines and even jail time. Moreover, with a criminal drug charge on their record, they may experience several collateral consequences that can impact them for the rest of their life.

If you are currently pending one or more criminal drug charges as a student, it’s essential that you have knowledgeable and experienced legal representation in your corner as soon as possible. Our experienced legal team can represent you at all of your court hearings and help you attain the best possible result in your case. 

Types of Drug Charges and Potential Penalties Upon Conviction

Two of the most common drug charges that students sustain are drug possession and drug trafficking or distribution charges. A student can be charged with drug possession if they carry illegal drugs on their person or if the drugs are in their immediate reach area. If they possess drugs of a certain quantity, they can be charged with possession with intent to distribute (PWID). If they are caught selling drugs to someone else, they can face drug trafficking charges. 

In addition to drug possession or distribution charges, a student may be charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, such as scales, pipes, and other equipment.

To incur criminal penalties for drug charges, the state prosecutor handling the case must prove their legal burden beyond a reasonable doubt. It is then left up to a sentencing judge to determine the penalty or penalties to impose. The penalties imposed upon conviction will depend upon the type of drug that the accused possessed, the quantity of the drug, and whether or not they distributed the drug to others, among other factors.

Collateral Consequences Associated with Drug Convictions

In addition to receiving potential penalties upon conviction, students charged with drug crimes often face serious collateral consequences. When a student gets caught with drugs, they can lose scholarship money from their college or university, as well as state or federal financial aid.

In addition, having a criminal drug charge on your record can make it difficult for you to find or keep a job after you graduate.

Potential Defenses to a Criminal Drug Charge

Fortunately, some students are eligible to raise various legal defenses against their criminal drug charges. If the judge or jury accepts the defense, your criminal case may be subject to a complete dismissal. Our knowledgeable legal team can determine if you’re eligible to raise a viable defense to your charge. Potential defenses to criminal drug charges include:

·        An alibi or that you were somewhere else at the time of the alleged drug transaction

·        Unlawful search and seizure, such as when police officers obtain drugs during an invalid or random traffic stop

·        Unlawful questioning, such as when a police officer continues to ask questions after a suspect asserts their right to the presence of counsel

·        Lack of possession, where the accused individual did not have actual control over the drugs

Speak with an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you are currently pending one or more criminal drug charges, it is important that you consult with an attorney right away. At Cohen Law Offices, we can discuss all of your legal options with you and ensure that your rights remain protected while your criminal case is pending. We can also represent you in all court proceedings and raise a strong legal defense on your behalf. If you ultimately incur a drug conviction, we can represent you at your sentencing hearing and argue for the lowest possible penalty. We can also work to minimize any collateral consequences resulting from your drug conviction.

For a free case evaluation and consultation with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, please call Cohen Law Offices today at (715) 514-5051 or contact us online.