Drug crimes are always serious, and you should treat any accusation as if you’re already being charged. A solid defense is necessary to help you protect your rights and to make sure that you don’t face charges for crimes you didn’t commit or that don’t fit the crime that did occur.
Many people in this country deal with drug addiction and may struggle to go without illicit drugs. Unfortunately, whether they have an addiction, are selling to others or are just transporting drugs for others, there are serious penalties that apply if they’re caught. It’s also possible for people who don’t use drugs to be penalized if drugs are found in their vehicle or in their possession after being left behind by others.
What are Connecticut’s cocaine possession laws?
Possessing narcotics such as crack cocaine, cocaine or heroin all come with similar penalties in Connecticut. For possession (first offense), a person can go to prison for up to seven years and face up to $50,000 in fines.
For a second possession offense, a person faces up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.
Third offenses are more serious, as are subsequent offenses. They lead to up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.
Sometimes, there are alternatives to these penalties to consider. For example, in some cases, there is an alternative sentence of up to three years in jail with the possibility of a conditional release.
What should you do if you’re accused of possessing cocaine?
Possessing a narcotic like cocaine is a problem, because getting caught could lead to felony charges and potentially land you in prison for many years. It’s important for you to take action as soon as you can if you’re facing accusations of possessing this drug. It’s worth your time to learn more about your legal rights and to take steps to minimize the risk of a conviction. A solid defense may help you reduce the chances of being convicted of a drug crime or minimize the penalties if you are convicted for possessing cocaine. Understanding how the law applies to your case may help.