Drug Crimes

Aggressive Defense Against Drug Charges in Washington County

At Cornerstone Law Group, our Hillsboro drug crimes lawyers have represented individuals charged with a wide range of drug-related offenses. Drug crimes are taken very seriously in the state of Oregon and throughout the country, especially those involving large quantities of illegal and controlled substances. Law enforcement, federal agencies, and prosecutors work together to build strong cases, and you need a legal team working just as hard on your side if you have been arrested.

Understanding Drug Crime Charges in Oregon

Each conviction carries its own penalties which depend on the specific circumstances of the alleged crime. Regardless of the exact type of crime that you have been charged with, it is advised that you seek legal counsel right away.

Our firm can defend you against the following types of drug crimes:

Possession of a controlled substance
Possession with intent to distribute
Transportation or sale of a controlled substance
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Drug manufacturing charges

Drug charges can be made involving a wide variety of substances, including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, methamphetamines, and party drugs like ecstasy and LSD. Additionally, prescription drugs can be included in drug crime charges if you were allegedly caught with a prescription drug that you did not have a valid prescription for. Even possession of drug paraphernalia such as scales and syringes can result in a criminal charge.

What are the Penalties for Drug Crimes in Oregon?

Oregon has strict laws governing drug offenses, and the penalties for conviction can vary depending on elements like the type and quantity of drugs involved, prior criminal history, and other circumstances surrounding the case.

Potential Penalties for Misdemeanor Drug Offenses:

Up to a year in jail
Fines reaching $6,250

Defenses Against Drug Crime Charges

Some common defenses against drug crime charges include:

Illegal Search and Seizure: The Fourth Amendment helps defend individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. If evidence was acquired through an illegal search or seizure, it may be possible to have it suppressed and excluded from trial.
Lack of Knowledge: In some instances, individuals could be ignorant that they were in possession of illegal drugs or that drugs were being manufactured or distributed on their property. Lack of knowledge can be a defense against drug crime charges.
Entrapment: If law enforcement officers influenced you to commit a drug crime that you would not have otherwise committed, you may have a defense of entrapment. Entrapment often occurs when law enforcement uses coercion or undue pressure to induce someone to perform a crime they would not have otherwise committed.
Miranda Rights Violation: If law enforcement had failed to inform you of your Miranda rights at the time of the arrest and interrogation process, any statements you made may be inadmissible in court.
Medical Necessity: In some instances, individuals could possess or use drugs for legitimate medical reasons. If you have a valid prescription for the drugs in question, you may have a defense against drug possession charges.

Impact of HB 2355 on Oregon Drug Laws

In 2017 Oregon passed a law (HB 2355) changing most drug possessions from felonies to misdemeanors. It only applies to very small amounts of drugs:

Up to 1 gram for MDMA and heroin
Up to 2 grams for cocaine or methamphetamine
Up to 40 doses of oxycodone or LSD

Any amount larger than the above listed is subject to the original felony charge that was in place prior to the HB 2355 law.

Choose Cornerstone Law for Your Drug Crime Defense