Yale Drug Lawyer
Given the severe criminal consequences that can result from drug offenses, as well as the sanctions that may be levied by school officials even without a criminal conviction, it is important that you or your child retain a skilled Yale drug lawyer after an arrest.
How Are Drug Offenses Prosecuted?
Over the past few years, the Connecticut state legislature significantly decreased the penalties associated with certain drug crimes, with a particular focus on simple possession. While previously it was a felony in Connecticut to possess any amount of a substance listed in one of the Schedules established by the federal Controlled Substances Act, Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §21a-279 now defines offenses for possession of scheduled substances as misdemeanors.
Can I Be Charged with Marijuana-Related Offenses?
Marijuana is legal for Connecticut residents to use for medicinal purposes if they had a valid prescription and fill that prescription at a legal dispensary, and possession of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use has been decriminalized. If someone at Yale is caught with less than half an ounce of marijuana, it is treated as a civil offense punishable by only a $150 fine for a first offense, a non-criminal penalty that increases to $500 upon a second offense.
However, allegations of distributing, manufacturing, or selling any controlled substances—including marijuana if not licensed to do so—are still treated as felony offenses, meaning that punishments upon conviction could include tens of thousands of dollars in fine and several years of prison time.
Anyone facing any criminal charge for drug-related activities, regardless of whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, should contact a Yale drug attorney as soon as possible to ensure their rights are preserved.
How Do Colleges Treat Drug Offenses?
The Yale College Undergraduate Regulations specifically names the possession, purchase, sale, or use of controlled substances as an offense subject to disciplinary action. Allegations of drug-related offenses may end being brought before the Yale College Executive Committee, which may either assign penalties for conduct violations itself or delegate that authority to other Yale College authorities, such as heads of residential colleges.
Depending on prior history of conduct offenses and the severity of a particular drug-related offense, the Executive Committee may sanction a student with only a reprimand, put them on probation, or even suspend or expel them from school. While a drug lawyer cannot represent a Yale student during a hearing before the Executive Committee, they can help parents and students both understand the penalties they may be facing and work on a strategy for mitigating them.
Learn More by Speaking with a Yale Drug Attorney
No matter what your specific circumstances are, you should not try to handle your criminal case alone. Get in touch with a Yale drug lawyer today to talk about your options and start working on your defense with a dedicated legal professional. Check out our hundreds of certified 5-star reviews on avvo.com, and call Mark Sherman Law today to see what can be done to help you.