If you have been arrested for a drug charge, our attorneys know exactly how crucial it is to keep our clients out of jail and keep their records clean. We know that there are ways to negotiate with the prosecutors. In many of these drug charge cases what many people often do is take diversion classes and/or misdemeanors in order to resolve their case.
When you hire our firm’s services, before we even discuss plea agreements, our goal is to win your case.
We are here to help you and to get your life back to normal. Call us now or scroll below for more information. The consultation is completely free.
We handle all sorts of drug cases including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other schedule drug charges. Whether it be a simple possession charge or even a complex transportation/sale case, we are determined to help.
Drug cases can prove to be very complicated and technical. Experience matters when it comes to these types of cases. Here at Alcock and Associates our attorneys for drug charges have had the opportunity and honor of being able to handle thousands of drug cases throughout the state of Arizona. With four former prosecutors on staff, we know precisely how the government prosecutes individuals and we know how to work to get the best result possible for your case.
It seems as if every day there is another state legalizing marijuana. Because of this, it may give individuals the false impression that the war on drugs is subsiding. Even though the state of Arizona has medical marijuana laws on the books, it is quite common for prosecutors to seek criminal convictions for even simple marijuana possession.
Furthermore, if an individual is dealing with a charge of possession of drugs for sale, they can then be facing multiple years in prison as a result of a conviction.. Here is Arizona, we have some of the hardest drug laws and statutes in the United States.
With this being said, every drug charge is different and depends on the circumstances and facts of the case. Our criminal defense staff includes a former police officer and multiple former drug prosecutors. We know the tactics that the prosecutor’s office uses and how best to defend against those tactics in a drug case.
If you have any questions or would like to have your case evaluated, please do not hesitate to contact our criminal defense attorneys.
More information below…
Drug Crimes:
Drug crimes in Arizona include the possession, manufacture, transportation, and obtainment by fraud of controlled substances.
What exactly is a drug crime?
In the state of Arizona there are six statutes or laws that define the possession of common drugs. A.R.S. §§ 13-3402; 3403; 3405; 3406; 3407; and, 3408. The possession of drug paraphernalia is also against the law. Possession of drug paraphernalia is defined in A.R.S. § 13-3415.
When the charge is ‘Possession of a controlled substance’ this means the individual was in possession of any drug without a legal prescription. This includes drugs like marijuana, peyote, vapor releasing substances, narcotic drugs, prescription drugs, dangerous drugs like methamphetamine, and chemicals used in the manufacture of any of those substances.
Here is what the state of Arizona must prove:
In order for the state to win a conviction, they must be able to prove four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1) They must prove that the person charged with possession; 2) did knowingly possess; 3) a usable quantity; 4) of a controlled substance.
That means that the State needs to obtain and present evidence that the person charged with the offense is precisely the same person who was either arrested or cited by police, that the individual in question knew they were in possession of a controlled substance, and that there was a usable quantity of that substance, and that the substance was actually illegal to possess under Arizona law.
In other words, the State must provide evidence that the person charged with possession knew they were in possession of drugs and that the drugs were illegal. The State doesn’t need to prove that someone actually knew they had possession of drugs, they can prove that a person had constructive possession by demonstrating dominion or control over an object.
A person has constructive possession of an object when they have power or dominion over it. For example, it would be difficult for a prosecutor to say that someone actually knew there was a bottle of pills in their medicine cabinet, but what they can do is they can show that a person had dominion over the medicine cabinet because it belonged to them and because they stored their belongings there. It is also possible for more than one person to have constructive possession over something.
In addition to possession charges, if there is a situation where a person is in possession of a certain amount of drugs, then the State can proceed to charge the individual with transportation or sale of drugs. This is referred to as the threshold amount, and the actual amount required for this charge varies depending on the substance:
If an unlawful substance is not listed in the table above, the threshold amount is any amount equal to a value of one thousand dollars or more.
The drug statutes in Arizona can prove to be very confusing for some. Below is a brief description of the various kinds of controlled substances.
When the law refers to Marijuana they are referring to any part of any marijuana plant, including but not limited to its seeds, from which the resin has not been extracted. A.R.S. § 13-3401(19)
Peyote means possession of any part of the peyote plant. A.R.S. § 13-3401(23).
Vapor releasing substances essentially refers to any substance that releases a toxic fume or vapor. Examples include: Acetone, nitrous, and propane. A.R.S. § 13-3401(38).
Narcotic drug includes most opiates and derived cannabis. Examples may include oxycodone, percocet, morphine, cannabinoid oil, and many more A.R.S. § 13-3401(20)(21).
Prescription drugs means any drug that requires a prescription from a medical professional in order to possess legally. A.R.S. § 13-3401(28).
Dangerous drugs include drugs such as methamphetamine, alprazolam, and testosterone. A.R.S. § 13-3401(6).
Penalties:
The penalties for crimes such as these truly depend on three things: type of drug, the amount of drugs, and the nature of the crime in question.
Peyote:
Possession or sale of peyote is considered a class 6 felony.
Vapor releasing substance:
Inhalation or consumption of a vapor-releasing substance is considered a class 5 felony.
Sale of a vapor-releasing substance to someone under the age of 18 is a class 5 felony.
TASC is the Treatment Assessment Screening Center, Inc.
TASC is a privately operated program, a diversion program. A diversion program is one where your case is halted while you undergo a program. If you get TASC, then that means that your case will be put on hold while you complete a TASC program where you do drug screens, seminars, treatment, and counseling. Once you are done with the programs and services that your case manager assigns, the TASC program informs the court and your case will be dismissed. The team at Alcock & Associates has had a lot of success with getting their clients into the TASC program and getting dismissals through the TASC program.
A diversion program follows this process:
The length of the TASC program varies by the person. For example, the marijuana TASC program is a maximum of six months long.
Yes, TASC costs money. However they have programs in place to help those in need or who are unable to pay. You may qualify for assistance with payment.
Contact your case manager and tell them that you missed the test/seminar. They can help you schedule another and get you back on track.
Call your lawyer. You will also have to call your case manager at TASC.
TASC has assistance programs to help those that need it.
If you complete the program successfully, your case will be dismissed.
No, quite the opposite. When you complete TASC, if an order of dismissal with prejudice is filed your case is over forever. Double jeopardy prevents the State from bringing those charges against you.
The attorneys at Alcock work agreements with the State and send their clients to TASC regularly. Many of our clients have been very successful at completing TASC and obtaining dismissals in their cases.
Yes. To enter TASC, you have to fill out a form admitting guilt in this case. Your attorney can help you with that form.
If you don’t finish TASC, your case starts right back where it was when the judge/commissioner suspended it. If you were in RCC or EDC, your case will be back in RCC or EDC and your attorney can work with you to resolve the case from there either with a trial, a plea, or another disposition.
Yes, the attorneys at Alcock & Associates can help you if you’ve been unable to complete TASC.
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Here at Alcock and Associates our team and staff are dedicated to helping and representing YOU. The first step is to understand your case. We will take the time to get to know you and your legal situation so that we are best able to answer all of your questions. After your initial consultation with our attorneys, you will know what you are facing and what can happen to your case.
EVERY CONSULTATION IS COMPLETELY FREE AND COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL.
Alcock & Associates P.C.
2 North Central Avenue, 26th Floor
Phoenix AZ 85004
