Despite what seems to be a softening attitude towards drug crimes, drug charges still carry some of the harshest criminal penalties. If you are convicted, you could face years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines, not to mention the damage to your reputation and the stigma of having a criminal conviction. Drug cases are prosecuted aggressively, so you need to fight hard to protect yourself. The best way to get a fair outcome is to work with a criminal defense attorney with extensive experience in handling drug cases.

A Former Prosecutor Handling All Types of Drug Cases

Nathan Evershed served as a prosecutor in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office for 11 years before dedicating his practice to criminal defense. As a result, he knows drug cases from the inside out, knowing exactly what prosecutors need to prove and the tactics they employ to build their case. He has deep experience in handling all types of drug charges, including the following:

  • Possession of a controlled substance
  • Possession of paraphernalia
  • Distribution and possession with intent to distribute
  • Producing, manufacturing, and dispensing
  • Drug trafficking
  • Prescription drug charges

Nathan routinely handles both misdemeanor and felony drug charges. Whatever charges you may be facing, from a simple possession charge to a complex trafficking case, he will protect your future by fighting for a fair outcome.

Drug Laws Can Be Complex and Confusing

Being charged with any crime can be overwhelming, but it is not uncommon for defendants charged with drug crimes to be shocked at the potential penalties they face for what seems like a low-level drug offense. Part of this is due to the shifting attitudes toward the use and possession of drugs, but some of it is due to the fact that our drug laws are often antiquated.

Generally speaking, charges involving the sale or distribution of drugs are more severe than a simple possession charge, with drug trafficking carrying the heaviest penalties. However, the penalties you face can vary according to the type or amount of drugs involved in your case—harder drugs or larger quantities carrying harsher penalties. Whether you have been convicted of prior drug-related offenses, as will other circumstances surrounding your case, will also play a role.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help make sense of your charges and the penalties you face so that you can make an informed decision as to how to proceed.

It’s Not Just a Possession Charge

One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that their possession charge or other misdemeanor drug offense is nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, they only realize this mistake once it is too late.

Possession of a Schedule I or Schedule II drug such as heroin or cocaine can be a third-degree felony in Utah, meaning that you could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000. Possession of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, meaning that you face up to 6 months in jail if you are convicted. Beyond fines and incarceration, however, defendants often don’t realize that a conviction can result in suspending their driver’s licenses. In addition, they will face harsher penalties if they are subsequently charged with additional drug crimes.

Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Nathan Evershed Today for Help with Your Drug Charges

If you have been charged with a drug crime, the time to act is now; contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.

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