Tucson Drug Crime Attorney
Our Former Prosecutor Is Ready to Fight for Your Defense
Arizona law defines a drug crime as any criminal activity involving the possession, sale, trafficking, or manufacture of a controlled substance. The state has enacted a number of laws to punish individuals who are found to be violating drug laws. These laws can be extremely harsh, even when the activity is a first-time offense or involves a relatively small amount of the controlled substance.
If you have been arrested for a drug crime, you need an attorney who understands the complex legal issues surrounding these cases. At Mulembo Law PLLC, our Tucson drug crime attorney has extensive experience in criminal defense law, having formerly worked as a prosecutor and having handled federal trials for drug cases as a defense lawyer. Attorney Tamara Mulembo also limits her caseload. She then has the time and other resources to put her full focus and strength into fighting for every single one of her clients. We offer the personalized service and dedicated defense you need.
Our Tucson drug crime attorney can fight the charges you are facing. Contact us today at (520) 412-4707 for a free case review.
Sentencing for Drug Crime Convictions in Arizona
Drug crimes are generally classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona, depending on the severity of the crime and the amount of the controlled substance involved.
Some of the aggravating factors that could heighten the penalties you face for a drug crime conviction include:
- Repeat drug charges. Even if you're facing a misdemeanor charge and have a prior misdemeanor conviction, this would mean a subsequent conviction would yield a higher sentencing than the first one.
- Drug possession in a school zone. No suspended sentence or waiving a sentence by completing probation is possible if convicted of this. You could automatically face an additional year of incarceration for this too.
- Type of drug. The punishment for the same crime can vary depending on the type of drug. For example, if it involves meth or heroin, an individual may receive a heavier sentence.
- Amount of drug. Depending on the substance and the quantity, state charges could be upgraded to federal charges.
- Involvement of guns. Even if the firearm stays in your pocket the entire time, a drug dealing conviction would be sentenced far more heavily in this case.
- Selling drugs to minors. Aggravated sentencing would also apply in cases where minors were recruited to deal the drugs themselves.
Defense for Drug Crime Defendants in Southern Arizona
While drug crime convictions can bring serious, life-changing penalties, there can be opportunities for alternate sentencing as well. Probation might provide the opportunity for defendants to complete counseling or other treatment programs while staying out of jail, or at least serving a much lighter sentence. In other cases, a sharp defense attorney will notice when law enforcement has obtained evidence unlawfully and can get that incriminating evidence thrown out. Each possible defense is as unique as each of the people we defend, so there are many other options on the table.
Please don't hesitate to discover your possible defense options by talking to our seasoned drug crime lawyer in Tucson. Call Mulembo Law PLLC today at (520) 412-4707 to get started.
