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Drug Crimes
For 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:
- Drug possession cases
- Drug possession with intent to sell & drug manufacturing
- Drug trafficking cases
- Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to sell
- School zone drug violations
- Federal Drug Crimes
- Inducing or Abetting a Minor to Sell or Distribute Controlled Substances
- Knowingly Being Present Where Heroin is Kept
| Charge | Sentence | Mandatory 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 distribute | Up to 10 years in jail, fine of $1,000 to $10,000 | With a prior conviction: 3 ½ years |
| Possession of a Class B Substance with intent to distribute | Up to 10 years in jail, fine of $1,000 to $10,000 | With a prior conviction: 2 years |
| Possession of a Class C Substance with intent to distribute | Up to 5 years in jail, fine of $500 to $5,000 | With a prior conviction: 18 months |
| Possession of a Class D Substance with intent to distribute | Up to 2 years in jail, fine of $500 to $5,000 | With 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.