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Drug Crime Attorney in Monroe, LA

Were you arrested or charged with a drug offense in Monroe or across northern Louisiana? Are you facing a state or federal drug investigation? Whiddon Criminal Defense is ready to hear your case. We know how devastating a drug conviction can be for your career, your reputation, your family, and your freedom. We help Louisiana defendants fight drug charges to avoid the worst consequences of criminal convictions.

Drug Offenses in Louisiana

The drug crime defense lawyer at Whiddon Criminal Defense represents Louisiana defendants charged with all manner of state and federal drug crimes, including:

  • Drug manufacturing
  • Drug possession
  • Drug cultivation
  • Drug trafficking and distribution
  • All other drug charges

Louisiana classifies controlled substances according to different “Schedules.” Schedule I drugs are considered the most serious, and trafficking in those substances is punished most severely. Crimes involving Schedule V drugs, however, still carry the potential for harsh penalties. Some of the substances covered by the different Schedules include the following:

  • Schedule I. Schedule I includes substances such as heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), MDMA, and marijuana.
  • Schedule II. Schedule II includes substances such as methamphetamine, oxycodone, opium, and cocaine.
  • Schedule III. Schedule III includes substances such as anabolic steroids, ketamine, and certain narcotics.
  • Schedule IV. Schedule IV includes many prescription drugs, such as lorazepam, diazepam, and Barbital.
  • Schedule V. Schedule V includes narcotic drugs containing nonnarcotic active medicinal ingredients and some prescription drugs, such as those containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, among other things.

Penalties for Louisiana Drug Charges

The penalties for drug crime convictions in Louisiana depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the substance, the amount of the substance involved in the commission of the crime, whether it’s a first-time offense or a repeat offender, and the nature of the conduct. For example, simple possession of a Schedule I or Schedule II substance is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, while possession of 28 grams or more is punishable by one to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Distribution or manufacture of a Schedule I or Schedule II substance in amounts less than 28g is punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000, while distribution or manufacture in amounts greater than 28g is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Penalties for other amounts and other substances vary significantly. Talk to a seasoned drug charge defense lawyer at Whiddon Criminal Defense to discuss your charges, the potential penalties, and how to push for reduced charges.

Marijuana Crimes in Louisiana

Although many states have decriminalized or legalized the recreational sale and possession of marijuana, Louisiana has yet to do so. There are no signs that the Louisiana legislature is pushing to legalize recreational marijuana anytime soon. However, there is a program for medicinal marijuana in the state, and that program was expanded in late 2021: Dispensaries can now sell the traditional, smokable, flower form of marijuana.

Anyone who possesses or traffics in marijuana outside of the limited medical arena, however, can still face serious criminal prosecution. Simple possession of even small amounts of marijuana is chargeable as a misdemeanor, while possession of greater amounts, as well as cultivation and distribution, are punishable as felonies. If you’ve been arrested for possession or distribution of marijuana in Louisiana, the knowledgeable cannabis defense lawyer at Whiddon Criminal Defense is ready to come to your defense.

Call Whiddon Criminal Defense for Seasoned Advice and Representation After a Monroe Drug Crime Arrest

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a drug crime in northern Louisiana, you need help from a dedicated and effective Louisiana drug charge defense attorney. The consequences of a felony conviction in Louisiana can permanently derail your life. We’re here to help. The felony defense team at the Monroe offices of Whiddon Criminal Defense is ready to help you fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.