If you have been charged with Possession of Marijuana (POM) or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (PDP) in Lynnwood, Edmonds, or elsewhere in King County or Snohomish County, Washington you are probably wondering what the potential consequences of the charge are and if you should hire an experienced Snohomish County Criminal Defense Attorney.
The potential consequences for your charge vary depending on your unique situation. For example, the potential consequences for possession of marijuana depends on the amount possessed and the purpose of possession. If the amount of marijuana possessed is over 40 grams or you are accused of possessing marijuana with the intent to manufacture or deliver, the charge is a felony offense which carries much more serious consequences than simple possession. Possession of marijuana over 40 grams is a class C felony carrying a maximum sentence of 5 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. If, instead, you are accused of possessing marijuana in an amount of 40 grams or less then the charge is a misdemeanor (RCW 69.50.4014). Although less serious than its felony counterpart, misdemeanor possession of marijuana still subjects you to a potential sentence up to 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine if convicted. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence for misdemeanor POM of 1 day in jail and a $250 fine for a first offense.
If you are accused of possessing drug paraphernalia (RCW 69.50.412) you are also facing a misdemeanor offense and could, if convicted, be sentenced up to 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. Like POM, a conviction for PDP carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 1 day in jail and a $250 fine. Drug paraphernalia is defined very broadly and covers "all equipment, products, and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance." RCW 69.50.102 . This means, generally, anything used to contain, conceal, ingest or otherwise facilitate the use of an illegal substance can be considered drug paraphernalia and could result in a possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
In addition to the mandatory sentencing requirements for your possession of marijuana or possession of drug paraphernalia charge, a conviction for a drug offense can affect your ability to obtain financial aid for school and must typically be disclosed on job and housing applications.
Due to the serious consequences of conviction, it is important to speak to an experienced Lynnwood possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia defense attorney as soon as possible to come up with the best possible defense for your unique situation.
I, Lynnwood drug defense attorney Lance R. Fryrear, have over seventeen years of combined experience which gives me the ability to analyze your case from both the prosecution and defense side to come up a defense strategy tailored to your specific situation. My client testimonials speak for themselves.
Contact Lynnwood drug crime defense attorney Lance R. Fryrear today for your free consultation. I am on your side.