MD Drug Attorney

Maryland Drug Charges

Under the new law effective July 1st: adults 21 or older may possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a total amount of cannabis products that does not exceed 750 mg THC. This amount is known as the "personal use amount." Possession of between 1.5 ounces and 2.5 ounces is a civil offense with a fine not exceeding $250 for first-time offenders. Possession of between 2.5 ounces and less than 50 pounds of marijuana is a misdemeanor with a punishment of up to one year imprisonment and a fine not exceeding $1,000.

Aside from the drugs themselves, a person can also face criminal penalties for possession of drug paraphernalia. These are the items made specifically for the purpose of using a certain type of drug. For a first offense of possession of drug paraphernalia in Maryland, the fine can be $500. A second offense could result in a $2,000 fine and two years’ incarceration.

For drug charges involving the intention to sell, manufacture, or distribute substances other than marijuana, offenders in Maryland can face fines of up to $25,000 and prison sentences ranging from 5 to 20 years depending on the drug. For repeat offenders the fines can begin at $25,000 and can go up to $100,000. Prison terms can range anywhere from 20 to 40 years.

Drug charges in Maryland are very serious and can have a significant impact on your life. If you are facing drug charges, contacting an experienced Maryland drug lawyer can help you navigate this difficult situation and potentially assist in getting a reduced sentence, or even beating the charge. However, keep in mind that you must cooperate with the police. If you add an assault or fleeing charge to your case, the likelihood that the court will rule in your favor is small.

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Other Drug Charges

As with any other state, Maryland has a variety of drugs that are commonly used, many of which have their own separate laws and penalties. Here are the common drugs that are used in the state of Maryland, as well as the penalties associated with them:

Heroin

Heroin is one of the most serious drug offenses in the state of Maryland.

Possession of heroin is a misdemeanor that can result in up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Penalties can be doubled if this is a second possession offense. However, if more than 4 grams of heroin are brought into the state, the penalty can be raised to a felony with up to 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Distribution and sale of heroin is a felony that can result in up to 40 years in prison. Other factors could raise the penalty, like if the sale was made to a minor or on school grounds.

Trafficking heroin is the most serious of the offenses. Trafficking usually refers to a large amount of a drug that was transported across state or national borders. If the defendant is labeled a “drug kingpin,” the penalties can result in up to 40 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a narcotic that has been known to be addictive, and the state of Maryland has severe penalties associated with the drug.

Possession of cocaine is a misdemeanor charge that can result in up to 4 years in prison and a $25,000 charge (for a first offense). Bringing 28 grams or more into the state can result in up to 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Distribution and sale of heroin is a felony charge that can result in up to 20 years in prison and a find of up to $25,000. Other factors will result in harsher penalties, like how many offenses, and if the sale was made to a minor.

Marijuana

Maryland has no specific offense for the cultivation of marijuana. If caught, the defendant will usually receive a penalty associated with the amount of marijuana they are growing. A misdemeanor charge can still result in up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for the first offense. However, larger amounts can lead to more severe penalties, similar to the penalties of intent to distribute marijuana.

 

If you face one or more of these charges it is crucial that you contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible in order to protect your rights. For more information about the drug laws in MD you can read the Maryland Official Code.

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Andrew V. Jezic

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Superlawyers magazine voted Mr. Jezic as one the Top 10 best lawyers in all of Maryland (among 40,000 lawyers). Five years in a row, from 2016-2020, Super Lawyers magazine has recognized Mr. Jezic as one of the best 100 lawyers in all of Maryland. From 2011 to 2020, Mr Andrew Jezic was selected to the very exclusive list of best criminal lawyers by Washingtonian magazine. Mr. Jezic’s wins in high-profile criminal cases have been featured in many news articles and on national TV shows, including Dateline NBC, Dr. Oz, and the Tucker Carlson show.

In 2017 Mr. Jezic was honored as one of the “Most Influential Marylanders” by the Daily Record, Maryland’s preeminent legal and business newspaper. Mr. Jezic is a past president of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association. Mr. Jezic has received nearly 100 percent of very positive reviews from scores of clients.

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DAVID H. MOYSE

Rockville Criminal defense lawyer David H. Moyse currently serves as co-chair of the Montgomery County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Section. Since forming Jezic & Moyse as a founding partner in 2008, he has received several notable recognitions.

They include being named to SuperLawyers since 2013, and the Washingtonian magazine’s Top Lawyers list from 2017 to 2023. Mr. Moyse has received nearly 100 percent of glowing reviews from clients.

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Criminal Defense Attorney David H. Moyse

Our experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyers At Jezic & Moyse, LLC, will aggressively search for every conceivable avenue of defense to beat your criminal charge.

Too many criminal defense lawyers begin talk of a plea bargain too soon when they hear of a confession or other incriminating evidence against their client. Our Maryland criminal defense team does not give in until the last bit of aggressive defense strategy is exhausted.

If there is an unusual, technical defense to your charges, our Maryland criminal defense lawyers will find it. If there is a creative way for you to avoid the normal punishment for a given set of circumstances, we will find it.(See client testimonials).

Our lawyers are in court everyday in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, defending the accused and fighting for the best possible result in every case.

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