Drug possession charges can result from a misunderstanding, an illegal search, or circumstances you did not anticipate. The Law Office of John Arrascada LLC represents individuals facing drug possession charges, regardless of the amount or substance involved. Drug possession charges can have serious consequences for your career, education, housing, and future opportunities. Therefore, you need a Reno drug possession lawyer who takes your case seriously. Schedule a consultation with a skilled drug attorney today.
Nevada has specific statutes governing drug possession, and penalties depend on the substance and quantity. Possession of Schedule I drugs like methamphetamine, heroin, and LSD carries different penalties than possession of prescription drugs. Even possession of small amounts can result in felony charges and imprisonment. Understanding which law applies to your situation is the first step in building a defense.
The state also distinguishes between simple possession and possession with intent to distribute, which carries much harsher penalties. Our drug possession defense attorney handles all of these charges in Reno.
The state classifies drugs into schedules based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Schedule I drugs are considered the most dangerous with no accepted medical use. Schedule II through V drugs have varying levels of accepted medical use. The schedule of the drug you are accused of possessing significantly impacts potential penalties. For example, possessing methamphetamine carries harsher penalties than possessing prescription painkillers.
A Reno lawyer may leverage several defense strategies to help a person avoid a drug possession conviction.
Many drug possession cases hinge on whether law enforcement had legal authority to search your car, home, or person. If the police violated your Fourth Amendment rights, the evidence they found may be inadmissible regardless of what they discovered. Our defense lawyer examines how the search occurred and whether proper procedures were followed. We challenge searches that lacked proper warrants, consent, or legal justification. Suppressing illegally obtained evidence can result in case dismissal.
If police stopped you, we can examine whether they had reasonable suspicion to stop you. If the initial stop was illegal, anything discovered during that stop may be inadmissible. We can challenge traffic stops that lacked legitimate traffic violations and pat-downs that lacked proper justification.
Just because police found drugs does not automatically mean they are yours. Shared vehicles, roommate situations, or planted evidence sometimes create reasonable doubt about possession. We investigate circumstances thoroughly and challenge assumptions prosecutors make. Was the substance actually tested to confirm it was a controlled substance? Could someone else have placed drugs in shared spaces? These questions matter.
Drug substances must be adequately tested and identified. Our Reno attorney reviews lab reports for errors, improper procedures, or chain of custody problems in drug possession cases. We question lab technicians about their testing procedures and qualifications. Errors in drug identification can result in case dismissal.
Depending on circumstances, you might benefit from drug treatment programs that lead to charge dismissal, diversionary programs, or other alternatives to conviction. Nevada has several programs designed to help people struggling with drug use. Not every drug possession case must end in court; sometimes treatment and rehabilitation serve everyone’s interests better than incarceration.
If this is your first drug possession offense, you may qualify for options that avoid conviction. We explore these possibilities aggressively and work toward outcomes that protect your future.
Drug possession convictions affect employment, professional licenses, housing, educational opportunities, and student financial aid. Your drug possession lawyer in Reno will work to minimize these collateral consequences through negotiation and alternative resolutions if a case dismissal is not possible.
The Law Office of John Arrascada LLC helps residents facing drug possession charges understand their options and build strong defenses. Contact a Reno drug possession lawyer today for a confidential consultation about your specific situation and what we can do to help.
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