Las Vegas Drug Offense Attorney

Contact Las Vegas Drug Offense Attorney Ross C. Goodman at (702) 383-5088 to learn about how you can protect your rights. Read Ross Testimonials View Ross Not Guilty Verdicts & Dismissals

Drug Charges

Drug charges are very serious criminal offenses in spite of its reputation as “Sin City”. One of the consequences of being convicted with drug charges is having a narcotics offense in your criminal record. Getting a job would be much of a problem, and not only that, there is a possibility that you will get imprisoned for a long time. Our attorneys at Goodman Law Group have extensive experience defending against felony drug charges. Your charges might be reduced to a lesser offense or dismissed, it all depends on the seriousness of your case. This page will help you understand your drug charges, the possible penalties, and how can you defend yourself.

Las Vegas Drug Charges

Nevada Revised Statute Section 453.336: Controlled Substance Possession

Possession of narcotics for personal use is the least serious drug charge. More often, first offense can be dismissed completely if you have completed the Drug Court successfully.
  • Jail Time: minimum of 1 to 4 years imprisonment
  • Fines: could be up to $20,000
  • Possibility of parole

Nevada Revised Statute Section 453.337 and 453.338: Drug Possession for Purpose of Sale

Possession of narcotics with the intention to sell carries long imprisonment. However, experienced drug defense lawyers can still have the chance to win a “not guilty” verdict.
  • Jail: minimum of 1 to 4 years imprisonment
  • Fines: could be up to $10,000
  • Possibility of probation

Nevada Revised Statute Section 453.321: Drug Sale (Sale of Controlled Substance)

Offering and/or selling drugs or controlled substance is illegal. This applies to both illegal drugs as well as prescription drugs. The possible defenses for this allegation are police entrapment and police misconduct.

Nevada Revised Statue Section 453.3385 and 453.3395: Drug Trafficking

A person who knowingly manufactures, delivers, sells, or brings into the State of Nevada, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of large quantities of schedule I or II drugs is defined as drug trafficking. This charge carries a very serious penalty. However, there is a chance that a first-time offender not to be sent to prison.
  • Jail: minimum of 2 to 15 years imprisonment.
  • Fines: could be up to $500,00
  • Non-probationable offense

Nevada Revised Statute Sections 453.560 and 453.566: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

This law means any drug paraphernalia, equipment or materials intended for the storage, manufacture, or ingestion of illegal drugs. Drug paraphernalia offenses can range from misdemeanor charges to felonies.
  • Jail Time: minimum of 1 to 4 years imprisonment
  • Fines: could be up to $10,000
  • Possibility of probation

Nevada Revised Statute Section: Federal Drug Charges

This law means that any person in Nevada who possesses, produces, sells, or offers narcotics may not be lawfully introduced into interstate commerce (ISC).

Nevada Revised Statute Sections 453.391 and 453.381: Prescription Fraud and Doctor Shopping

This law means using more than one pharmacy and provider to get prescriptions for controlled substance without the pharmacies knowing about the other prescriptions.
  • Jail: minimum of 1 to 5 years imprisonment
  • Fines up to $10,000

Drug Types

In Las Vegas, there is a drug schedule for illegal or addictive drugs. The penalties for possession depends on the schedule the drug is categorized and the amount of the substance.
DRUG SCHEDULE  DEFINITION TYPES
I Drugs that have no accepted medical use currently, and have high tendency for abuse.
  • “Acid” – LSD – Lysergic acid diethylamide
  • “Heroin” – Diacetylmorphine
  • “Date Rape Drug” – GHB – Hydrooxybutryic acid
  • “Crystal Meth,” “Crank”, “Speed,” Methamphetamine – Amphetamines
  • “Ecstasy” – MDMA – Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
  • PCP – Phenylcyclidine
  • Mescaline – 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine – Peyote
  • “Weed”, “Pot” – Marijuana/Cannabis – THC – Tetrahydrocannabino
*Las Vegas categorized Marijuana under Schedule I although medical marijuana is legal.
II Considered as drugs with tendency for high abuse. Some are accepted for medical use; however, there are also chances of addiction or dependency with repeated use. These drugs are available with prescription; drugs are subjected to strict record keeping procedures.
  • Morphine
  • Lortab, Lorcet, Vicodin – Hydrocodone
  • Cocaine – Benzoylmethylecgonine
  • Opium – Lachryma Papaveris
  • Oxycontin – Oxycodone
  • Dilaudid – Hydromorphone
  • Ritalin – Methylphenidate
III Drugs have less potential for addiction or abuse, may also have accepted medicinal use.
  • Testosterone
  • Codeine
  • Ketamine
  • Anabolic steroids
IV Drugs that have low chances of addiction or abuse, accepted for medicinal use.
  • Sedatives
  • Valium – Diazepam
  • Xanax – Alprazolam
  • Tranquilizers – Benzodiazepines
  • Clonazepam

V

 Drugs that have low chanced or abuse, have limited addictive properties, and accepted for medical use.
  • Codeine
  • Cough suppressant

Defense against Drug Charges

Goodman Law Group will explore all the possibilities for your defense when fighting drug possession charges. Some of the common defenses are:
  • Lack of intent – you honestly did not know anything about the controlled substance in your possession.
  • The drugs were not in your custody, possession, or control.
  • The law enforcers committed Miranda rights violation.
  • The enforcers did an entrapment.
  • The law enforcers did an illegal search and seizure.
There is a possibility in getting your charges suspended, or getting drug rehabilitation, or for the court to order probation. Depending on the conditions and facts, we can determine the best defense for a drug charge case.

Penalties for Drug Charges

One of the common misconceptions when it comes to drug possession is that the illegal substance has to be found physically on your person. The legal meaning, however, defines “possession” as extending to any location you exercise control over (i.e. at home, or in the car).

There are 3 types of controlled substance possession:

Actual possession of narcotics

This possession is when someone physically keeps the controlled substance in their person. This includes hiding marijuana in your back pocket, or holding a baggie of crystal meth in your hand.

Constructive possession of narcotics

This happens when someone stores the drugs in a place that they have control over. For example, hiding an ounce of cocaine inside your house, or keeping heroin in your cabinet.

Joint possession of narcotics

This type means there are 2 or more people who share or control ownership over the same illegal substance. For example, if a brother knows his sister stored heroin in the cabinet and permits it, he could be prosecuted for possession even if he did not use the drug himself.

Drug Charges: Drug Court

A drug court has drug rehabilitation programs and drug education classes that when a defendant with 1st time narcotics possession allegations take, there is a possibility to get the charges dismissed.

Contact Ross Goodman Today

If you have been accused or arrested for drug charges, it is important to get help from an experienced attorney who can help you deal with the charges and get represented in court. Defense Attorney Ross Goodman can help you get lesser charges, or drop the case without going to trial. Contact Attorney Ross Goodman and schedule a free consultation for your case.
Read here for Ross Goodman’s recent representation of Nick Diaz against NSAC’s marijuana metabolite test results.