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Defense For All Levels And Types Of Drug Offenses

A drug offense can range from a violation-level offense to a sentence of 15 to 30 years to life imprisonment at the New Hampshire State Prison. Sentences for drug offenses when a person has a prior drug conviction will be much more severe. Generally speaking, a person is guilty of a drug offense if he manufactures, sells, transports or possesses with the intent to sell, or simply possesses a controlled drug, its analog, or something he purports to be a controlled drug.

Call Wilson, Bush & Keefe, P.C., in Nashua as soon as possible after you have come under investigation or have been charged with a drug crime. We will go to work immediately to protect your rights and your future.

Drug Charges And Theft

In many cases, criminal charges for theft, possession of stolen goods and other property crimes are tied directly to chemical addiction. It is not unusual to be charged with a drug crime along with theft. It is important to have an attorney who understands the options for placement into chemical dependency programs, in lieu of a conviction. I will work aggressively with the prosecutor to find alternatives to criminal charges if the circumstances of your case allow.

Sale Of A Controlled Drug

A person can receive a sentence of up to 15 to 30 years at the New Hampshire State Prison for manufacturing, selling, transporting or possessing with the intent to sell the following controlled drugs (to include any adulterants or diluents):

  • Cocaine (5 ounces or more)
  • LSD (100 milligrams or more)
  • PCP (10 grams or more)
  • Heroin (5 grams or more)
  • Crack Cocaine (5 grams or more)
  • Methamphetamine (5 ounces or more)

A person can receive a sentence of up to 10 to 20 years at the New Hampshire State Prison for manufacturing, selling, or transporting or possessing with the intent to sell the following controlled drugs (to include any adulterants or diluents):

  • Cocaine (½ ounce or more)
  • A substance classified as a schedule I or II controlled substance (1 ounce or more)
  • LSD (less than 100 milligrams)
  • PCP (less than 10 grams)
  • Heroin (1 gram or more)
  • Crack Cocaine (1 gram or more)
  • Methamphetamine (1 ounce or more)
  • Marijuana (5 pounds or more)

A person can receive a sentence of up to three-and-a-half to seven years at the New Hampshire State Prison for manufacturing, selling, transporting or possessing with the intent to sell the following controlled drugs (to include any adulterants or diluents):

  • Cocaine (less than ½ ounce)
  • A substance classified as a schedule I or II controlled substance (less than 1 ounce)
  • Methamphetamine (less than 1 ounce)
  • Heroin (less than 1 gram)
  • Crack Cocaine (less than 1 gram)
  • Marijuana (1 ounce or more)
  • Any other controlled drug or its analog classified as a schedule I, II, III or IV

A person can receive a sentence of up to three years at the New Hampshire State Prison for manufacturing, selling, or transporting or possessing with the intent to sell the following controlled drugs (to include any adulterants or diluents):

  • Marijuana (less than 1 ounce)
  • Any substance classified as Schedule V.

Possession Of A Controlled Drug

A person convicted of merely possessing a controlled drug can be sentenced as follows:

  • Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Crack Cocaine, LSD, PCP, and a controlled substance classified as either schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance — three and a half to seven years at the New Hampshire State Prison
  • A substance classified as a Schedule V controlled substance — up to three years at the New Hampshire State Prison
  • Marijuana — up to 12 months at the House of Corrections

A person controlling a motor vehicle or premises can be guilty of a misdemeanor (with a sentence of up to 12 months at the House of Corrections) if there is a controlled drug in the vehicle or premises without his knowledge.

If you are charged with a drug offense, you need an experienced and effective criminal defense attorney to represent you immediately. Because a drug offense can be a misdemeanor or felony-level charge, a person convicted of it may be sent to the House of Corrections or the New Hampshire State Prison.

The criminal defense lawyers at Wilson, Bush & Keefe have the proven record of success to defend you when you need it the most. Call us at 603-821-4802 or contact us by email to discuss your case with one of our lawyers.

If after 5 p.m. weekdays or over the weekend, call 603-809-0070.