Connecticut Drugs and Narcotics Defense Lawyer

Arrested for Selling Heroin, Methamphetamines, Marijuana, or Cocaine?

If you have been arrested for a drug crime, you are probably worried about going to jail. You may also face a criminal record that will make it difficult for you to get a job, obtain school loans, or rent an apartment. Depending on your case and whether it is charged in state or federal court, you may be able to fight your charges, avoid jail, and keep your record clean.

I'm John Walkley, a drug crimes defense lawyer in Milford, Connecticut, serving people in New Haven by appointment. I have more than 25 years of experience defending people facing drugs and narcotics charges in both state and federal courts. Contact me as soon as possible to start fighting the allegations against you.

Generally, there are two types of drug charges: possessing drugs and selling drugs. Penalties for drug charges will vary depending on the drug: marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, or methamphetamines. People can also be charged with illegal use of prescription drugs such as OxyContin and Vicodin.

Drug Crimes in Connecticut State Court

In the Connecticut state court system, depending on the nature of the drug, your prior record, and the quantity of the drugs that are a part of your case, there is a good chance we can get in and out of court without having to worry about you going to jail.

There are programs we can get you involved in and things you can do to minimize the penalties. Examples of drug diversion programs in Connecticut are the Drug Education Program and the Community Service Labor Program. If you are a first-time drug crimes offender, there are generally things we can do to get the charges dismissed after you complete some term of probation. A major exception to this is for individuals charged with being kingpins in drug conspiracies.

Drug Crimes in Federal Court

The playing field is not exactly the same in federal court. The federal drug crime statutes are far more onerous, with mandatory sentences, higher sentences, and sentencing guidelines. These factors make it harder, if not impossible, to get in and out of federal drug court without a criminal record. But, even in the worst cases, you are always entitled to your day in court. If your drug case is going to court, I am the defense attorney to handle it.

Defenses in Drug Cases

If you are facing a criminal record or jail time, I can help you negotiate for the best possible outcome or defend you in court. I have been successful in obtaining not-guilty verdicts after trial as well as negotiating fair and reasonable plea bargains without trial.

There are several defenses in drug cases. For example, if there was an illegal stop or improper search, we may be able to suppress the drug evidence and, in some cases, dismiss the charges. Sometimes, a drug crimes defense attorney can influence whether a drug case is prosecuted at the state or the federal level.

For a free initial consultation, contact Connecticut drug crimes defense lawyer John Walkley.