UCONN Marijuana Possession with Intent to Distribute Lawyer
Any person who has any controlled substance and either sells, gives, or transports it with the intention on selling it can be charged with possession with intent to distribute. A lot of people think that the only way they can get charged with that is if they are intending to sell it for a profit or if they sell it for a profit.A lot of people do not realize that just by buying marijuana and sharing it with your friends, technically, the person has distributed it and they can be charged with the more serious felony charge. With so much at stake, individuals who have been charged with marijuana possession should get in touch with an experienced UCONN criminal defense attorney. A UCONN marijuana possession with intent to distribute lawyer can attempt to build a solid defense for those who have been charged.
If students are more aware of the severity of these laws, it might deter them from committing the offenses in the first place, which is the point of the laws. Others would probably still do it, but be more careful.
Determining the Difference Between Possession and Possession with Intent to Distribute
A person also can be charged with both possession and intent to distribute, especially if the individual has marijuana on their person. For example, if the person has it in the console of their car and in the trunk, a person could get both charges that way. The impact of these additional charges is an escalation in penalties. So, the person that is charged is facing the maximum penalties on anything they are charged with.
Role of Law Enforcement in Determining Charges
The first level of discretion when deciding whether the person intended to distribute the marijuana or not, rests with the police officer. The UCONN police officers will normally look at the quantity of marijuana, for example, if there are baggies, scales, or other drug paraphernalia.
The police officers in UCONN at that level can choose to charge possession, possession with intent to sell, or both. Either way, once the case gets to Rockville Superior Court, once the prosecutors look at the evidence and see all of the reports, they have the discretion to add charges, too.
So, there are two opportunities for that charge to get added. Whether an individual faces possession or possession to distribute charges, a UCONN marijuana possession with intent to distribute lawyer can defend an individual’s case.
Escalation of Charges From Simple Possession to Possession With Intent Charges
The escalation of a simple possession charge to a possession with intent charge does happen, and it happens more often if new evidence is discovered, like after the person is arrested another person is arrested that points the finger and says, “I bought it from so and so.” It is common that other witnesses can influence a simple possession charge and it can get upgraded to a possession with intent to sell.
Normally, if the police are going to charge possession with intent to sell, it is because they have enough evidence from the beginning. A UCONN marijuana possession with intent to distribute attorney can work tirelessly in an attempt to mitigate those charges and penalties.
Role of Constructive Possession in a Possession With Intent Charge
Constructive possession in Connecticut is when marijuana is not on the person, but is within their control. The easiest way for the state to prove possession is when there is marijuana right on someone, but if it is in their bedroom or in the trunk of their car, although it is not on them, they could still prove a possession charge with that and possibly possession with intent to sell charge as well, depending on the surrounding circumstances.
What the Prosecution Must Prove
The prosecution must prove that the person had the marijuana or other drugs in their possession at some point and was going to share them or did share them or sell them. The police are always looking for evidence to see whether the marijuana is packaged in a way that it could easily be sold or distributed because the person that uses marijuana for personal use often just has a baggy with a little bit of marijuana in it.
Likelihood of Diversion Programs
At UCONN, there are available diversion programs or alternative sentencing available for first-time possession with intent to distribute charges. Technically, someone charged with possession and possession with intent to sell might be eligible for the pretrial drug community service program and accelerated rehabilitation if it was their first offense. An experienced attorney could try to get them a combination of those two programs to be able to keep their record clean.
Importance of Consulting With an Attorney
Possession with intent to sell or to distribute is an unclassified felony in Connecticut, meaning it does not fit into one of the categories of felonies. If a person is convicted of it, even though it is marijuana, a person could face up to seven years in jail as well as a huge fine and a period of probation. It is important to make sure the case is handled correctly from the beginning and to make sure that a person is doing everything he or she can to get a pretrial diversionary program or get a more lenient sentence that does not involve jail time.
Possession with intent to distribute charges can have serious consequences for you, even if this is your first criminal offense. This process may seem overwhelming, but a UCONN marijuana possession with intent to distribute lawyer can simplify things for you. Your attorney can examine the facts and evidence of your case, and use them to construct your defense.Furthermore, a skilled legal advocate can devote the time and resources necessary to fight for a positive outcome for you.