Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute
Any Connecticut drug crime is serious and carries the possibility of mandatory drug treatment, jail time, and hefty fines. But depending on the type and amount of illegal substance in your possession, you could be charged with possession with intent to distribute and face even more severe penalties. Distribute charges has serious penalties, and requires aggressive defense from a drug possession lawyer.
Evidence of a Sale Is Not Necessary
In certain circumstances, law enforcement officials can charge you with the crime of possession with intent to distribute. Many people misunderstand this crime and mistakenly believe that the police must catch you “in the act” of making a drug sale to charge you with the crime.
In fact, the prosecutor does not need to prove that you received any financial gain to charge you with possession with intent to distribute. Law enforcement officials need only believe that you had a plan and the means and opportunity to make a sale to charge with possession with intent.
Police officers will often look at the circumstances surrounding the arrest and may point to everyday items, like plastic baggies, scales, or other things that could be used to package drugs as evidence that you were planning to sell narcotics. They will also look at phone calls and text messages to try to establish that you intended to sell drugs.
You could even face charges for possession with intent if you were not planning on selling drugs at all, but simply had a large amount of illegal drugs in your possession or were in close proximity to someone who had a large amount of drugs in their possession.
The law surrounding charges of possession with intent to distribute is incredibly complex. If you believe you are under investigation or have been charged with possession with intent to distribute, you need to contact an experienced drug crime defense attorney as quickly as possible.
Penalties for Distribute Charges
Penalties for a conviction for possession with intent to distribute drugs will vary depending on the nature of the substance, the amount of drugs in your possession, and whether you have previously been convicted of a drug crime.
Connecticut identifies three broad categories of offenses for possession with intent to distribute: selling marijuana; selling narcotics or hallucinogens other than marijuana; and selling non-hallucinogenic drugs that are not marijuana.
Penalties for Selling Marijuana
| Less than 1 kg of marijuana (First Offense) | Up to 7 yrs. in prison, fine of up to $25,000 |
| More than 1 kg of marijuana (First Offense) | Minimum of 5 yrs in prison, up to 20 yrs. |
| Less than 1 kg of marijuana (Second Offense) | Up to 7 yrs. in prison, fine of up to $100,000 |
| More than 1 kg of marijuana (Second Offense) | Minimum of 10 yrs. in prison, up to 25 yrs. |
Penalties for Selling Narcotics or Hallucinogens Other than Marijuana
| First Offense | Up to 15 yrs. in prison, fine of up to $50,000, or both |
| Second Offense | Up to 30 yrs. In prison, fine of up to $100,000 |
| Subsequent Offenses | Up to 30 yrs. in prison, fine of up to $250,000 |
Penalties for Selling Illegal Drugs Other than Marijuana
| First Offense | Up to 7 yrs. In prison, fine of up to $25,000 |
| Subsequent Offenses | Up to 15 yrs. in prison, fine of up to $100,000 |
Your Defense Against Distribute Charges
Regardless of your specific circumstances, an experienced drug crime defense attorney can help.
Most cases involving allegations of possession with intent to distribute begin with a motion to suppress. Attorney Stephen Lebedevitch will challenge the manner in which the evidence against you was obtained and raise any Constitutional defenses to the charges against you. He will fight to try to keep evidence of the drugs out of the trial. In addition, Mr. Lebedevitch will conduct an independent investigation to identify alternative explanations for why you were allegedly in possession of the drugs and other alleged contraband and seek to have the charges against you reduced, or even dismissed.
Attorney Lebedevitch knows that drug possession charges, and especially charges of possession with intent to distribute, are serious. Mr. Lebedevitch has extensive experience defending people who have been charged with drug crimes in Fairfield and New Haven, and throughout Connecticut, and offers an honest and straightforward approach to drug crime defense.
To learn more about Stephen Lebedevitch and his approach to drug crime defense, read reviews from other people he has helped and why people choose Stephen. Then contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help.
The Lebedevitch Law Firm proudly represents people who have been charged with drug crimes in Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Darien, Rowayton, Fairfield, Trumbull, Westport, Wilton, Weston, Danbury, New Haven, Bethany, Woodbridge, Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport, and throughout the State of Connecticut.
Stephen Lebedevitch
For More Information
