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Drug Crimes

Drug CrimesFor over four decades, the criminal defense attorneys at the MA Law Firm of Altman & Altman, LLP have been successfully representing clients throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our Drug Crime Lawyers will fully explain all of your legal options throughout the entire criminal process. Please contact us to speak with a member of our criminal defense teams. We are available around the clock - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MA Drug Crimes

Drug charges are among the most common and serious criminal offenses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The attorneys at Altman & Altman, LLP have been handling such cases with diligence and success for more than 50 years. There are many avenues in which a drug case can be successfully defended, including, but not limited to motions to dismiss, motions to suppress evidence, defense verdicts and favorable plea arrangements.

Massachusetts drug laws encompass a number of controlled substances and a vast array of offenses. The most common drug offenses under Massachusetts law are drug possession and drug trafficking, although there are other offenses carved out in the code, including offenses involving drugs and firearms, drugs and kidnapping, and even forced drug use. According to the executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the majority of drug arrests are made for possession or use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and prescription drugs. In terms of sentencing, Massachusetts generally relies on mandatory minimums passed by the legislature. Mandatory minimums are sentencing laws that require a certain sentence to be imposed, even if the judge might think the punishment is too severe. These mandatory minimums depend greatly not only on the type of drug involved, but the quantity of the drug as well. See the chart below for sentencing details.

When facing drug charges, it is important to have a criminal defense attorney by your side. At Altman & Altman, LLP, our firm handles all types of drug crimes, charges and cases including, but not limited to the following:

ChargeSentenceMandatory Minimum
Marijuana Trafficking
  • 50lbs or more: 2 ½ to 15 years, fine of $500 to $10,000
  • 100lbs or more: 2 to 15 years, fine of $500 to $25,000
  • 2,000lbs or more: 3 ½ years to 15 years, fine of $5,000 to $50,000
  • 10,000lbs or more: 8 to 15 years, fine of $20,000 to $200,000
  • 50lbs or more: 1 year
  • 100lbs or more: 2 years
  • 2,000lbs or more: 3 ½ years
  • 10,000lbs or more: 8 years
Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (any drug not covered specifically by statute)
  • 18g or more: 2 to 15 years, fine of $2,500 to $25,000
  • 36g or more: 3 ½ to 20 years, fine of $5,000 to $50,000
  • 100g or more: 8 to 20 years, fine of $10,000 to $100,000
  • 200g or more: 12 to 20 years, fine of $50,000 to $500,000
  • 18g or more: 2 years
  • 36g or more: 3 ½ years
  • 100g or more: 8 years
  • 200g or more: 12 years
Heroin Trafficking
  • 18g or more: 3 ½ to 20 years, fine of $5,000 to $50,000
  • 36g or more: 5 to 20 years, $5,000 to $50,000 fine
  • 100g or more: 8 to 20 years, fine of $10,000 to $100,000
  • 200g or more: 12 to 20 years, fine of $50,000 to $500,000
  • 18g or more: 3 ½ years
  • 36g or more: 5 years
  • 100g or more: 8 years
  • 200g or more: 12 years
Possession of a Class A Substance with intent to distributeUp to 10 years in jail, fine of $1,000 to $10,000With a prior conviction: 3 ½ years
Possession of a Class B Substance with intent to distributeUp to 10 years in jail, fine of $1,000 to $10,000With a prior conviction: 2 years
Possession of a Class C Substance with intent to distributeUp to 5 years in jail, fine of $500 to $5,000With a prior conviction: 18 months
Possession of a Class D Substance with intent to distributeUp to 2 years in jail, fine of $500 to $5,000With a prior conviction: 1 year

Drug charges can carry very stiff sentences including mandatory jail sentences and loss of driving privileges. A criminal record concerning any drug crime can greatly affect a client for potentially the rest of his/her life. Having a drug offense on one’s record can greatly affect that person’s ability to obtain a job, get into school and/or obtain a scholarship. It can also affect one’s ability to enter into any branch of the armed services. Finally, a drug related offense on one’s record can affect that person’s ability to obtain citizenship in the United States and/or can result in deportation.

Drug Crime Lawyers at Altman & Altman, LLP

It is imperative to retain an attorney at the earliest possible time in order to ensure that the attorney can explore all avenues available to you. The attorneys at Altman & Altman,LLP have successfully handled all types of drug and drug-related cases in district, superior, and federal courts throughout Massachusetts and are ready to help you.

If you or a loved one has been charged of a drug crime or are being investigated for a drug crime, call the experienced criminal defense attorneys of Altman & Altman for a free, confidential consultation. Our defense attorneys are available around the clock and on weekends to provide immediate counsel. Contact Altman & Altman today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog - Drug Offenses
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Dear Sam, I can not thank you enough for your expertise in the handling of Chris's case as well as your sensitivity and caring attitude. toward him. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. He really expressed how good it felt to be able to talk to you! Sincerely and may God bless you. Pat W.
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I really appreciate your prompt and highly effective assistance on this matter. After six different OUI attorneys told me that there was no way to recall the warrant and dismiss the charges against me without me returning to Mass from California, you managed to accomplish what they said was impossible. Thanks again! Neil D., Boston, MA
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It took some 30 years,almost the loss of a job,fid card ,arrested ,etc,etc.i tried several lawyers,and got the same disappointing answer ;sorry ,nothing we can do;.One little phone call and back and forth on the iPad,and for the first time i felt positive that this issue could be resolved.MR Goldwyn,and Ms Aisa Fitzgerald told me their game plan,and they made it happen.I am a very ,very happy clam. Robert D.
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