Drug Possession

Salt Lake City Drug Possession Attorneys

Helping Clients Fight Drug Charges

Being charged with drug possession in Utah can be an anxiety-inducing situation. However, we want you to know that while being charged with drug possession is highly stressful, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. If you choose the best Salt Lake City drug possession defense attorney as soon as possible after being arrested, your charges and potential penalties may be reduced.

If you’re searching for an experienced drug possession defense lawyer to handle your Utah drug crime case, look no further than Conyers & Nix. Our Salt Lake City criminal defense attorneys have fought and won drug cases for clients throughout Utah, so we’re confident we have the answers you need. Because Utah typically focuses on drug treatment more than incarceration, we can help that work in your favor. You should not have to handle charges involving drug crimes alone—Conyers & Nix is ready to help! Call us for a consultation.

What Are the Drug Possession Laws in Utah?

Your charges and their potential penalties will depend on the drugs that were found in your possession. More specifically, they will depend on which drug schedule the controlled substances fall into, as certain schedules result in harsher penalties. As an example, possession of marijuana may be charged as a Class B misdemeanor in Utah, while possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance may be a third-degree felony.

Schedule I drugs in Utah include substances like Ecstasy, LSD, peyote, and heroin. They are classified as Schedule I because they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and have no medical uses.

Schedule II drugs include Vicodin, cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, Demerol, Oxycodone, fentanyl, Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin. Schedule II drugs are considered to have a high potential for abuse with physical and psychological dependence and can be dangerous or deadly.

Schedule III drugs include steroids, and Schedule IV drugs include codeine and opium. Schedule V drugs include antitussives and analgesics. Schedule III and IV drugs have a moderate to low potential for abuse or dependence, and Schedule V drugs have virtually no potential for abuse. Note that while marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug, it is treated differently under Utah Law.

Generally speaking, a Schedule III, IV, or V, and marijuana possession will be charged as a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense. A Schedule I or II drug will be charged as a third-degree felony for a first offense. The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor charge is significant. A misdemeanor charge is punishable with fines and time in jail. A felony is a significant crime that can put you in prison—and will follow you for a long time even after you leave prison.

If this is not your first possession charge, you will likely move to the next level of legal consequences. In other words, the second time you are charged with possession of marijuana, it will likely be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, and so on.

In addition, if you allegedly used a firearm in any way when committing your drug crime, the time you could spend in jail if convicted could increase by one year. If you’re concerned about facing severe penalties for drug crimes, contact our Salt Lake City law firm today to speak with an experienced drug defense attorney. We can work on creating a strong defense strategy to defend you from your drug charges.

What Are the Penalties for Drug Possession in Utah?

Your specific penalty for drug possession in Utah will depend on the type of drug, your criminal record, and whether you have a prior conviction for drug possession. In general, if you are convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, you could spend up to 364 days in jail and be ordered to pay a fine as hefty as $2,500. If you are convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, you could spend up to six months in jail, and your fines could be as hefty as $1,000.

If you are convicted of a third-degree felony, you could spend up to five years in prison, and your fines could be as large as $5,000. However, if you hire a trusted Salt Lake City attorney to fight your drug crime charges, they may be able to resolve your case favorably if you agree to take classes on substance abuse or go to a recovery program. In addition, probation could reduce your time in prison via a closely supervised release.

While there is no way to guarantee favorable results for any case involving serious drug crimes, seeking legal counsel is recommended if you want the best possible outcome. In particular, you should hire attorneys with years of experience providing legal representation to clients accused of crimes involving illegal drugs.

Experienced lawyers can work hard to get your charges reduced, or at least minimize your penalties for a conviction based on your specific circumstances. This is especially the case if this is the first drug crime you’ve been accused of. Call our law firm to learn how we’ll do our best to help avoid a conviction for drug-related crimes.

How Can a Skilled Lawyer Benefit Your Utah Drug Crime Case?

When you have a highly-skilled drug possession defense attorney from Conyers & Nix on your side, your drug charges may be reduced or dropped entirely. While this is not easy, it is possible if the police made mistakes in how they found the drugs, such as by conducting an illegal search or otherwise ignoring your constitutional rights.

At Conyers & Nix, we know how the legal system works when it comes to drug crimes. We will negotiate for the following:

  • Treatment program enrollment instead of jail
  • Significantly less prison or jail time
  • Reduced fines
  • Probation rather than jail time
  • Community service rather than jail
  • Having the drug charges dropped

We will carefully review the details of your criminal charges to determine where the evidence against you may be weak or could be ruled inadmissible in court. If you’re ready to learn how we can protect you from serious drug crime charges – such as drug distribution, felony possession of controlled substances, or possession of drug paraphernalia – call us to discuss your legal options.

How Can a Salt Lake City Drug Possession Defense Attorney Help Clients Facing Drug Charges?

When you choose attorneys Kate Conyers and Jesse Nix, you are making an important first step in your drug crime defense case. At Conyers & Nix, we are passionate about protecting your rights through zealous advocacy and exceptional representation. Our goals are your goals—to fight for your best interests, even when the fight is challenging. We believe in decriminalizing drug possession charges, so we are particularly interested in these cases.

We will help you through the difficulties of your criminal charges in a holistic way—meaning we will assist you with every aspect of your life that is touched by charges involving drug crimes. What this looks like will differ from one client to the next, but it may involve helping with employment letters, expungements, and enrollment in treatment facilities.

We work as a team on each case, believing two attorneys are better than one. If you face drug offense charges that could affect your life for many years, you need Salt Lake City drug possession defense attorneys Kate Conyers and Jesse Nix. We fight for the best interests of our clients—and we will do the same for you, no matter how challenging the case. We will treat you with respect and patience, helping you achieve the best outcome possible. Call Conyers & Nix today at 385-469-1097 to discuss how we can defend you from drug crimes in Utah.