Cleveland Drug Possession Lawyers

Put 70+ Years of Experience in Your Corner

Ohio Revised Code § 2925.11 makes it illegal to “knowingly obtain, possess, or use a controlled substance.” There are two types of possession that the prosecutors must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt: actual possession infers that the alleged offender had physical control of the substance. Constructive possession, which is harder to prove, means that the defendant not only had access to the controlled drugs but knew about them, too. Sentencing for these crimes is complicated and relies on the type and quantity of the controlled substance involved.

Contact our Cleveland drug possession attorneys at (440) 471-7784 today for a free consultation!

Penalties for Possession of a Controlled Substance in OH

To determine what the possible penalties for possession of a controlled substance, you need to know:

• What drug you are charged with possessing
• How much drug you possessed
• Where you possessed these drugs

The law treats the possession of marijuana more leniently than possession of cocaine or heroin. For instance, if you are arrested with 100 grams of cocaine, you face 3 to 11 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. However, if you are arrested with 100 grams of marijuana, you face a maximum of 6 months in jail.

Heroin Possession Charges & Penalties

In Ohio, heroin possession or trafficking may result in fines of thousands of dollars and even up to 10+ years in prison. Heroin is considered a Schedule I drug and charges are based on the amount in possession.

These charges include:

• <1 gram: 5th degree felony with 6-12 month prison sentence.
• 1-4 grams: 4th degree felony and 6-18 month prison sentence.
• 5-9 grams: 3rd degree felony and 9 month - 3 year prison sentence.
• 10-49 grams: 2nd degree felony and 2-8 year prison sentence.
• 50-249 grams: 1st degree felony and 3-10 year prison sentence.
• >250 grams: major drug offense (MDO) and 11 year mandatory prison sentence.

Cocaine Possession Charges & Penalties

In Ohio, cocaine charges and penalties are based on the amount in possession or sold. Cocaine is a Schedule II drug. The charges for cocaine possession range from a 1st degree to 5th degree felony.

The amounts and penalties for cocaine possession include:

• <5 grams: 5th degree felony; fines up to $2,500 and 6-12 months in jail.
• 5-9 grams: 4th degree felony; fines up to $5,000 and 6 months in jail to 18 months in prison.
• 10-19 grams: 3rd degree felony; fines up to $10,000 and 9 months in jail to 36 months in prison.
• 20-27 grams: 2nd degree felony; fines up to $15,000 and 2-8 years in prison.
• 27-99 grams: 1st degree felony; fines up to $20,000 and 3-11 years in prison.
• >100 grams: 1st degree felony; fines up to $20,000 and 11 years in prison.

Ohio Fentanyl Penalties

In Ohio, fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance and is charged by "bulk amount" found in possession. The "bulk amount" refers to either: (1) > 10 grams; or (2) > 25 doses of the controlled substance.

Possession of fentanyl in Ohio may result in the following penalties:

• <a bulk amount: 5th degree felony; 6-12 months in prison and a fine of $2,5000.
• >a bulk amount & <5x bulk amount: 3rd degree felony; 9 months-5 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• 5x-50x bulk amount: 2nd degree felony; mandatory minimum of 2 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
• 50x-100x bulk amount: 1st degree felony; mandatory minimum of 3 years in prison and fines up to $20,000.
• >100x bulk amount: 1st degree felony; mandatory minimum of 11 years in prison; major drug offender (MDO).

Penalties for Methamphetamine Possession

In Ohio, meth possession is a felony drug crime and will result in fines and jail time.

The penalties for these crimes are based on the amount in possession.

• <3 grams: 5th degree felony; 6-12 months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.
• 3-15 grams: 3rd degree felony; possible 9-36 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.
• 15-150 grams: 2nd degree felony; 2-8 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
• 150-300 grams: 1st degree felony; 3-11 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines.
• >300 grams: 1st degree felony; 11 years in prison, up to $20,000 in fines, major drug offender (MDO).

Drug Possession Defense Attorneys in Cleveland, OH

There are numerous ways to defend these cases as each case is unique. At a bare minimum, each case needs to have what is called a suppression hearing.

A suppression hearing is where the attorney challenges:

• The reason for your arrest
• The reason for any search
• The science behind the drug analysis
• The conclusions regarding amount of the drug
• Anything else that is relevant to the case

It is important in defending these cases to know your goal. Are you a college student? You risk losing all of your financial aid. Are you a professional? You have professional licensing issues that you need to avoid. Everyone has something to lose if these cases are not handled the right way.

Call our Cleveland drug possession attorneys at (440) 471-7784. Ask to speak to one of our lawyers personally about the facts of your case. The call is completely confidential and without any obligation. If we agree to take on your case, our team of ex-prosecutors will go to work fighting for you.

If you have been charged with the possession of a controlled substance under O.R.C. 2925.11, you face some serious penalties. Contact our Cleveland drug possession lawyers now!

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