Quinnipiac Drug Possession Lawyer

You can protect your rights and best interests with help from a qualified Quinnipiac drug possession lawyer. By retaining a top criminal defense attorney, you can put yourself or your child in a good position to negotiate for a more sympathetic judgement and potentially less severe criminal and educational consequences.

How Are Drugs Classified?

Connecticut state law classifies controlled substances into the same schedules set out in the federal Controlled Substances Act. There are five schedules in sequential order, with higher schedules containing substances with fewer medical uses and more addictive qualities.

According to Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §21a-279, having any amount of a scheduled substance under personal control is a misdemeanor offense punishable by no more than a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Subsequent offenses are prosecuted as felonies and punishable by much higher fines and much longer prison sentences.

Is Marijuana Possession Treated Harshly?

Recent changes in state law mean that marijuana is classified separately from scheduled drugs in terms of criminal offenses. Because medicinal marijuana is legal in Connecticut and recreational use is decriminalized, possession of half an ounce or less of marijuana is only a civil infraction rather than a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $150 or $500 depending on whether it is a person’s first or second offense.

However, possession of larger amounts of marijuana is still treated as a misdemeanor offense just like possession of scheduled drugs. A Quinnipiac drug possession attorney can help clarify for an individual defendant what specific charges and consequences they may be facing in their particular situation.

How Can I Contest Educational Sanctions at Quinnipiac?

When a student at Quinnipiac University is charged with a drug possession offense, any following student conduct hearings will proceed separately from criminal proceedings. This means that educational sanctions—including restriction from on-campus activities, removal from campus housing, and even suspension or expulsion—may be applied to a student even if their criminal case does not result in any penalties.

While a lawyer cannot accompany a Quinnipiac student into any conduct hearings related to a drug possession charge, they can provide guidance and support outside of those hearings to help them prepare for the allegations and sanctions they may face. They could also work to ensure that the rights guaranteed by the Quinnipiac University Student Handbook are available to students facing disciplinary hearings, including the right to bring witnesses and the right to an appeal.

Speak with a Quinnipiac Drug Possession Attorney Today

A Quinnipiac drug possession lawyer can work to protect your rights and ensure your case proceeds as smoothly as possible. To find out more about what may be possible in your or your child’s case, call Mark Sherman Law today to set up a consultation.