Drug crime defense with attention to testing, searches, and diversion paths

Possession charges apply when you have drugs for personal use, while trafficking charges involve the intent to sell or distribute drugs. The distinction often depends on the quantity, packaging, and presence of scales, cash, or other evidence of distribution. Trafficking carries much harsher penalties, including mandatory prison time.

Yes. If law enforcement violated your Fourth Amendment rights by conducting an illegal search or seizure, we can file a motion to suppress the evidence. If the motion is granted, the drugs and related evidence cannot be used against you, often resulting in case dismissal.

Penalties vary based on the type and amount of drug, your criminal history, and whether the offense occurred near a school or park. Possession of marijuana (small amounts) may be a minor misdemeanor, while possession of cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl can be a felony with prison time, fines, and a permanent record.

Intervention in Lieu of Conviction (ILC) is a diversion program for first-time offenders facing drug charges. If accepted, you complete treatment and probation instead of going to trial. Upon successful completion, the charges are dismissed, and you can seal the record. It is a powerful tool to avoid a conviction.

Yes, under the legal theory of constructive possession. If drugs are found in your car, home, or on your person, prosecutors may charge you even if you claim they belong to someone else. We challenge constructive possession by questioning whether you had knowledge of the drugs and control over the area where they were found.

Drug paraphernalia charges apply to items used to consume, produce, or distribute drugs, such as pipes, syringes, scales, and baggies. These are typically misdemeanor charges, but they can carry jail time, fines, and a criminal record. We defend these cases by challenging the legality of the search and the classification of the items.

Not necessarily. First-time offenders may qualify for diversion programs, probation, or alternative sentencing. The outcome depends on the charge, the amount, and whether you are eligible for programs like Intervention in Lieu of Conviction. We work to avoid prison time and minimize long-term consequences.

Yes, in many cases. Ohio law allows for sealing (expungement) of certain drug convictions after completing your sentence and waiting period. Diversion programs like ILC allow for immediate sealing upon completion. Sealing removes the conviction from most background checks, helping with employment and housing.

Do not consent to the search. Politely say, "I do not consent to searches." If they search anyway, do not resist. Police need a warrant or probable cause to search without your consent. If the search was illegal, we can challenge it in court and potentially get the evidence suppressed.

The chain of custody is the documented trail of how evidence (like drugs) was collected, stored, tested, and handled. If there are gaps, errors, or inconsistencies in the chain, the evidence may be unreliable or inadmissible. We scrutinize lab reports and handling procedures to identify weaknesses.