Portland Drug Crime Defense Lawyers

Frequently Asked Questions: Portland Drug Charges

What are some examples of drug offenses?
Drug possession, drug trafficking, drug distribution, drug cultivation, drug manufacturing and prescription fraud are all examples of common drug crimes. Additional drug offenses may involve medical marijuana or under the influence of drugs charges.

Are drug crimes federal offenses?
Certain drug crimes may qualify as federal offenses. Both federal law and Oregon state law outline specific crimes involving drugs, and therefore a person may face charges under state or federal law, or possibly both. Generally speaking, however, federal agencies will become involved in larger drug busts and interstate or international drug crime.

What are some penalties associated with a drug crime conviction?
A defendant may face a variety of penalties if convicted of a Portland drug crime. This includes: imprisonment, fines, probation, community service and drug evaluation and treatment.

What will determine the penalties and charges that I face?
Specific penalties that a defendant may face will vary depending upon the type and amount of drug involved in the offense. Penalties will also vary depending upon the crime itself. For instance, a simple drug possession charge is less serious than a drug manufacturing or drug trafficking charge.

How can an attorney help me?
Through every step of the criminal court process, from the instant that you are under investigation or are arrested, to the criminal trial, you will need a defense attorney at your side to protect your rights and interests. An attorney will conduct an investigation, interview witnesses and consult experts in the field in order to help prove that you did not commit the drug crime or that your rights were violated during the investigation or arrest. All of this will be done to help you avoid a conviction or to secure lesser charges or alternative sentencing.

What is an illegal search and seizure?
In order to conduct a legal search and seizure, law enforcement must have a valid warrant issued by a judge or must have probable cause to conduct the search. If law enforcement conducts an unreasonable search and seizure, your defense lawyer may be able to move to have the evidence they collected suppressed from being used as direct evidence against you.

Contact a Portland drug crime lawyer at our firm regarding your drug charges!