Fight a Massachusetts Heroin Possession Charge!
Heroin is considered one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs in existence. The public health and safety risks are why penalties can be so severe.
In addition, many cops and prosecutors are aggressively targeting heroin arrests due to recent publicity about addition rates and overdoses in the news. And when police target any charge aggressively, they often make mistakes that we can use against them.
When you are accused of a drug charge as serious as possession of heroin in Massachusetts, you stand to face potentially life changing consequences. However, we can work to defend you against this accusation and beat or minimize the repercussions of this charge and get back to living your normal life.
For some people, a criminal charge is a chance to get help. Being charged with a crime like heroin possession presents a chance to get treatment if needed. But, not everyone who is charged with this offense is an addict, and not everyone charged is guilty under the law.
You could be innocent of the charges, or the police could have violated your rights when they conducted the search that led to your arrest. No two heroin possession cases are the same and I can help you determine the best defense strategy given the facts of your particular case.
Massachusetts Heroin Possession Penalties
In Massachusetts, heroin is classified as a Class A Controlled Substance, the most dangerous and addictive classification available under the law. If you are convicted of heroin possession, you could be sentenced to:
- 2 years in jail for a first offense, up to $2000 fines, and a mandatory 1 year driver’s license suspension
- 2 ½ years in jail or 5 years in prison for a second or subsequent offense, fines up to $5000, and a mandatory 1 year driver’s license suspension
Yes, you will lose your driver’s license for up to one year for any drug possession conviction in MA, even if the drug charge has nothing to do with driving.
If this is your first offense and you have an otherwise clean criminal record, I can work to help you avoid serious life-changing penalties and jail time. There are some diversion programs available that can give you an opportunity avoid a criminal record if you qualify.
Plea Bargains
The vast majority of criminal cases in the state of Massachusetts are resolved with plea agreements. This means that you, as the defendant, agree to plead guilty (or to a Continuance without a Finding) to the charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence. Often, in plea agreements, the defendant is ultimately sentenced to probation.
We can discuss the options of a plea agreement and fight to get the most favorable one possible with the prosecutor on your case.
Massachusetts Drug Courts
Some drug cases are heard in the state’s drug courts, though they aren’t available in every jurisdiction. These courts focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment and work to get drug offenders the help they need.
The drug court programs can be compared to an intensive probation including drug treatment. If, however, you fail to abide by the terms of the drug court, your case can be referred back to the criminal division, and the penalties can actually be much worse than if you plead guilty to the offense the first time.
I can help you understand all of the options available to you when facing heroin possession charges. If you are charged with a heroin offense, contact me today to discuss your case
Call Me for a Free Legal Consultation on Massachusetts Heroin Laws & Penalties
If you are facing a heroin possession charge or any drug offense in Massachusetts courts, contact me for a free case evaluation.
I have fought countless drug possession cases, and am committed to getting the best possible results for my clients. I will fight for a dismissal, or any alternative to a conviction and permanent criminal record.
And I’ll always be straight with you, so you’ll know where you stand and what you can reasonably expect in court. So contact me today to find out what I can do to help you.