Ohio Drug Crimes Lawyer

At Patituce & Associates, LLC, we represent Ohio residents in a variety of drug-related cases, including:

• Possession of controlled substances
• Trafficking or aggravated trafficking in drugs
• Corrupting another with drugs
• Possession of controlled substances
• Possessing drug abuse instruments
• Permitting drug abuse
• Illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia
• Illegal use or possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia
• Deception to obtain a dangerous drug
• Illegal processing of drug documents
• Illegal dispensing of drug samples
• Counterfeit controlled substance offenses
• Criminal forfeiture of property relating to felony drug abuse offense
• Illegal administration or distribution of anabolic steroids
• Illegal manufacture of drugs, illegal cultivation of marijuana or methamphetamine
• Illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs

In the United States, the federal government has its own controlled substance schedule, which classifies drugs based on their medical use and potential for abuse. The federal schedules are similar to the Ohio schedules, but there are some differences. These schedules range from Schedule I to Schedule V and are used to determine the severity of drug crimes.

Here are some examples of drugs that fall under each schedule:

• Schedule I: These drugs have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Examples include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and marijuana.
• Schedule II: These drugs have a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Examples include cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
• Schedule III: These drugs have a moderate to low potential for abuse and include substances with limited amounts of narcotics. Examples include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and some codeine-containing products.
• Schedule IV: These drugs have a low potential for abuse and include substances with a limited amount of narcotics. Examples include Xanax, Valium, and Ambien.
• Schedule V: These drugs have the lowest potential for abuse and include substances with a limited amount of narcotics. Examples include cough medicines containing codeine.

The penalties for drug crimes in Ohio vary based on the type and amount of drug involved, as well as the defendant’s prior criminal history. Certain aggravating factors, such as being arrested within 100 feet of a school, park, or another drug-free zone, could increase the fines and jail time involved.

Below are a few examples:

• Drug manufacturing:In Ohio, a person who produces a drug listed in schedules III, IV, or V can be charged with a third-degree felony. This offense carries a potential prison sentence of one to five years and/or fines of up to $10,000.
• Possession of a controlled substance: This is generally a misdemeanor offense but can be charged as a felony for larger amounts of drugs or if the defendant has prior drug convictions. For example, possession of one gram or less of heroin is a fifth-degree felony punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.
• Drug trafficking: This is often a felony offense that can result in significant prison time, especially for large quantities of drugs. For a Schedule I or II drug, penalties can range from up to one year in jail for a fifth-degree felony to up to 11 years in prison for a first-degree felony.

If you are facing drug charges in Ohio, hiring a criminal defense attorney from Patituce & Associates, LLC can benefit you in several ways. Drug laws can be complex, and an attorney can help you understand the charges and the potential consequences. He or she can also guide you through the legal process and help you make informed decisions about your case.

Your lawyer will investigate the case against you and gather evidence to build a strong defense. This may include obtaining search warrants, reviewing audio and video recordings, and identifying any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Based on the evidence gathered, your attorney will develop a unique defense strategy tailored to your case. Your lawyer can use this strategy to negotiate with the prosecutor or represent your case in court.