Archive for the ‘Criminal Defense’ Category

Consequences of Drug Possession in Arizona

Being charged for possession of drugs is a serious offense. The justice system is not easy to understand and can be stressful. When being faced with these charges, having a knowledgeable attorney can be the difference between freedom and jail.

The drug classifications in Arizona are: dangerous drugs, narcotics and marijuana. A conviction for any of these can get you heavy fines and jail times.

• Dangerous drugs include: LSD, methamphetamines, steroids, ecstasy, mescaline, lorazepam, hallucinogenic mushrooms, GHB and clonazepam
• Narcotics are: heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, opium, morphine and more.
• Marijuana is also known as weed or pot.

Both Possession of Dangerous Drugs and Possession of Narcotic Drugs are class 4 felonies. A conviction for either can result in a prison sentence, jail time, and/or fines up to $150,000.00. Possession of Marijuana is a felony in Arizona and the class of felony is dependent on how much marijuana is being possessed. The more marijuana possessed, the higher the felony classification and the more prison time one could be sentenced to in addition to higher fines.

Just being arrested for possession of drugs, without being charged or convicted, can stay on your record making getting a job and other legal matters more difficult. The safest and smartest thing to do is to stay away from drugs and those using or possessing drugs so that you are not accused of being in possession or use of drugs.

Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Attorney

No one is prepared to get arrested. No one is financially prepared to hire a lawyer. But, your life and freedom could be at stake. You need someone you can trust to represent your rights in court.

Choosing the right criminal defense attorney could be the most important decision you ever make. You need to take into account several areas of concern including:

• Experience
• Past Results
• Fee Structure
• Negotiation Skills

At Petersen Johnson, we treat every person differently, as each case has special needs and unique situations. Our criminal defense attorney will research, investigate and review every case personally. We will evaluate your case and defend it in every possible way. However, keep in mind that we will first attempt to settle your case.

A resolution or settlement is the result of what is commonly known as “plea bargaining.” People enter into a plea bargain for many reasons. It is not always because they are guilty. Often times a person wants the case to simply “go away” as quickly as possible and as painlessly as possible. Other times, a person is accused of many charges and enters into a settlement so that many of the charges are dropped in exchange for accepting responsibility for one.

Most people want their case settled and most cases can be settled. Consider settling when you can settle your case in a manner acceptable to you before taking on a costly trial.

If your case cannot be settled or you are not satisfied with the proposed settlement, you can decide to proceed to trial. In most cases a flat fee is charged. This means you will not be charged on an hourly basis. You will also know the exact fee for each portion of your criminal case. If your case requires legal services beyond the initial settlement fee, then you will be quoted additional fees for those services up-front.