Marijuana Possession Attorney in Brandon, Mississippi
While marijuana has been legalized for recreational use in many states across the country, it remains illegal in Mississippi. According to NORML, possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana in Mississippi remains a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a fine. If you are convicted a second time for possession of 30 grams or less, you can face additional fines and anywhere from 5 to 60 days in jail. If you are found in possession of larger quantities of marijuana, you could face larger penalties, and even be charged with a felony if the police believe you had a quantity in your possession sufficient for selling or distribution.
Andres Sorrentino is a drug possession lawyer in Brandon, Mississippi who can assist you if you are facing charges for possession or sale of marijuana. The consequences of a drug possession conviction can be very serious. You could face jail time, end up with a criminal record, and even if you only spend a few days in jail, you could suffer from collateral consequences of having a criminal record, which can include difficulty accessing certain types of federal aid programs, restrictions in your ability to get certain types of licensing, and other limitations. Andrew Sorrentino is a drug possession lawyer who can review the circumstances surrounding your arrest, determine whether any drug possession defenses can be used in your case, and work with prosecutors to get you a plea deal if the state has a strong case. In some instances, individuals might be able to get a plea deal for entering certain types of drug treatment programs. The Law Office of Andrew Sorrentino may be able to help you navigate the criminal justice system if you are facing charges for marijuana possession.
Marijuana Possession Defenses in Brandon, Mississippi
There are several possible valid marijuana possession defenses that your Brandon, Mississippi drug possession lawyer can use. One of the strongest possible defenses is when police illegally perform a search on a person’s property, person, or home. Under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, individuals are protected from unlawful search and seizure. An officer must have a warrant or probable cause to search a person for drugs. If you believe police stopped you illegally, didn’t have a valid reason to stop you, or if you believe you were racially profiled by police, you may have the right to fight your marijuana possession charges. It is important to understand that you are innocent until proven guilty and the burden is on the state to prove that you were in fact in possession of the drugs in question. Another valid drug possession defense is the claim that the drugs didn’t belong to you. If, for instance, you are stopped by police and police discover marijuana in the car, the police may have to make a case that the marijuana belonged to you. If a person left marijuana in your car or home without your knowledge, you may be able to claim that the marijuana was not yours. Entrapment is another valid marijuana possession defense. If officers pressured you into buying drugs you otherwise would never have purchased or pressured you into selling drugs you otherwise wouldn’t have sold, you may be able to claim entrapment as a valid defense.
These are just some of the valid legal defenses that may be available to you if you are facing marijuana charges or have been arrested for marijuana possession. If you have been arrested, you have the right to remain silent. Assert your right to remain silent and ask to speak to the drug possession lawyer at The Law Office of Andrew Sorrentino in Brandon, Mississippi today.
Plea Deals in Brandon, Mississippi
If you are facing jail time for sale or distribution of marijuana, or are facing serious jail time for possession of larger quantities of marijuana or for a repeat marijuana possession offense, you may be offered a plea deal by the state. In exchange for pleading guilty, the state may offer you less time in jail or a softer sentence. In other instances, the courts may permit you to enter a drug treatment program in exchange for a softer sentence. For example, the sentence might be reduced from a felony charge to a misdemeanor under a plea deal. While taking a plea deal might sound like an attractive option, especially if you are unnerved by the idea of going to trial, taking a plea deal may not be appropriate in certain cases.
Before taking any plea deal, it may be wise to speak to a drug possession lawyer in Brandon, Mississippi like Andres Sorrentino first. Why? Pleading guilty to a drug charge can come with serious consequences. You could end up with a criminal record and suffer collateral consequences from having a criminal record. In some cases, individuals take a plea deal without realizing that the state’s case against them was weak. Before accepting any plea deal, speak to the drug possession lawyer at The Law Office of Andrew Sorrentino in Brandon, Mississippi today. USAttorneys.com can connect you with Andrew Sorrentino who can review the evidence against you and determine the best course forward.