Each year, thousands of Connecticut citizens face charges for the possession of drugs. Whether prescription drugs or illegal ones like cocaine or heroin, you need a lawyer trained in drug defense. We are those lawyers.

Sometimes, even with a valid prescription, people are charged with the illegal possession of legal drugs. The laws are tough. Many times the prosecutors and judges don’t take the time to truly listen to your side of the story. If this happens, a Connecticut drug lawyer at Ruane Attorneys can help. We advocate for our clients. We fight for them and tell the whole story to the judge and prosecutors. Also, we let them know about the facts about arrest.

What to Know About Drug Defense

If you are facing a drug possession charge, consider these 10 important things to know.

1. Getting arrested for drug possession does not mean you are guilty. Many times the police fail to properly conduct searches, exceed their legal authority or lump many people into a situation.
2. Most drug possession charges are felonies.
3. Once you plead guilty you have a conviction for life. Connecticut law does not have expungements like other states have.
4. If convicted of a felony, you will have to give a DNA sample to the state which they will keep on file forever.
5. If you got arrested in a car and someone else had drugs on them, you could also face a possession charge. Defenses to this issue exist. Remember, presence does not equal possession under the law.
6. Routinely, police departments use field tests on street drugs, but those field tests can give false positives.
7. Laboratory testing of drugs may flag other substances and report them as drugs, so it is important to make sure the laboratory followed the proper procedure in doing the testing.
8. Sometimes drugs are lost and/or destroyed by the police department which means that the state can never prove the case. If you please guilty in a case like this, you cannot “unplead.”
9. There have never been any studies to support that drug sniffing dogs actually work properly
10. The sooner you speak with a Connecticut drug attorney, the faster your defense investigation can begin. Call us today.

Fighting a Drug Charge

Just because you are charged with illegal possession of drugs in Connecticut does not mean that the law cannot protect you. We have found cases where police officers conducted illegal searches, or unconstitutional arrests. Both situations may lead to the case against you getting compromised or dropped entirely. If you have a substance abuse issue which led to your arrest, we might coordinate your rehab with the best possible court resolution.

At Ruane Attorneys our staff of highly trained attorneys and support staff can give you the legal help you need. We can help you get your life back on track. We have a reputation for fighting for our clients and winning the tough cases. By contacting us today, you take the first step in protecting yourself. Also, you can do this without paying for an initial consultation. In this section, you can research the Connecticut drug laws. Also, read our frequently asked questions to find out what other people asked. Finally, you can read up on Connecticut court procedure so you know what will happen at your court appearance.

Each year hundreds of people charged with drug possession in Connecticut. Call a Ruane Attorney to defend them. Contact us today to see how we can help get you through this troubling time.

Connecticut Drug Laws

Connecticut follows some universal drug laws. But, it also has its own drug laws that can be found in Connecticut’s general statutes. You can learn about some of the most common drug laws in Connecticut here. Oftentimes, we come across these laws in our clients’ cases. Sometimes, we can use these laws to prove our clients’ innocence.

• Methamphetamine Substance Laws
• Heroin Laws
• Prescription Drug Laws
• Marijuana Laws
• Cocaine Laws

Drug Possession

Drug possession is a common charge that our clients face. Possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana are similar charges, but they differ slightly. You need the assistance of a lawyer to help you understand these differences. A lawyer can also help you establish the best defense to a possession charge for your specific situation.

• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Marijuana in Connecticut

Drug Sales and Conspiracy Charges

Conspiracy and sale are other common Connecticut drug charges that our clients face. Conspiracy and sale of illegal drugs can be serious charges with serious consequences. In this section, you can learn more about these charges. You can also learn how to defend yourself against these charges.

• Conspiracy
• Manufacturing & Selling a Controlled Substance
• Distribution of Controlled Substances
• Fake Drugs
• Use of Drug Paraphernalia

Basic Drug Crime Info

The most common drug crimes are “possession of a controlled substance” and “illegal distribution/sale of a controlled substance.” “Possession” crimes and their penalties are defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-279.  Sale or Distribution crimes and their penalties are defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-278 (non-drug dependent) and § 21a-277 (drug dependent) respectively.

For certain categories of highly addictive drugs (narcotics, amphetamines, and hallucinogens) Connecticut has chosen to impose lighter prison sentences in lieu of treatment and rehabilitation for a defendant deemed to be “drug dependent” at the time of their sale or attempted sale of a controlled substance.  The legislature has separated the crime of “sale or distribution of a controlled substance” into two sections (§§21a-277 & 21a-278).  Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-277 covers the “Penalty for illegal manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing”, while “ Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-278 covers the “Penalty for illegal manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription or administration by non-drug-dependent person”.  21a-278 includes those highly addictive drugs and includes enhanced penalties for having significant amounts of those drugs that the legislature has deemed inappropriate for someone who is deemed a drug dependent person.  For more information on this important distinction see the section on “the drug dependent person & alternative sentencing and treatment programs.”

In addition to these basic crimes, Connecticut seeks to protect the interests of children with the aggravating offenses contained in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-278a.  These offenses, selling to a person under 18 years of age, selling within 1500 feet of a school zone, and employing a person under 18 to sell, all carry mandatory minimum sentences to be added onto any penalties for the underlying offense.

Drug Defenses

Just because you have been charged with a drug crime does not mean that you committed it or that you will be convicted. There are many different drug crime defenses available to those charged with these crimes. Consider common drug defenses to determine which ones apply to your particular situation. We can help you establish the best defense for your situation.

Contact a Connecticut Drug Attorney Today

If you face a Connecticut drug charge, you should familiarize yourself with the potential consequences that you might receive. Understanding these penalties can help you prepare yourself for trial and establish a good defense. For more information, you can speak to a Connecticut drug lawyer. For assistance with your trial, contact our office. We can argue for you to face minimal penalties even if convicted.