Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
Freetown police responded to an alarm that was set off inside of a GM car dealership at 12:44 a.m. Saturday, and instead of encountering the potential intruders, discovered some 31 pounds of marijuana.When officers first arrived, they said they saw an open door, through which they entered, sweeping the store for intruders. While inside the dealership, officers noticed several large plastic bags on a shelf and bookcase, all of which contained marijuana.
Police then secured the building while one detective obtained a search warrant. The officers then seized the marijuana, and a camera system. After reviewing the video footage, officers saw two intruders, which they say can be seen running from the scene, carrying no items. Police questioned and then later arrested the owner of the dealership whom they suspect intended to distribute the drugs.
Marijuana is characterized as a Class D substance, under Massachusetts state laws, and therefore there is no mandatory minimum sentence for convicted offenders. This means that there is more leeway for your Massachusetts drug crimes defense attorney to argue for an alternative to jail time, such as a pretrial diversion and/or drug rehabilitation program, if applicable.
Massachusetts law states that anyone who knowingly or intentionally manufactures, distributes, dispenses or possesses marijuana with the intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense is punishable by the following:
- Imprisonment in jail or house of correction for up to 2.5 years, or
- A fine ranging from $500-$5,000, or
- By both fine and imprisonment
Eventhough the potential penalties for possession with intent to distribute are lower for marijuana than other drugs, and charges should be taken seriously. A conviction on any drug charge can cause a multitude of potential issues for you later down the road.
The United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts take crimes involving drugs very seriously. Furthermore, distribution and possession with intent to distribute are considered even more dangerous charges, and are fully prosecuted due to the fact that these crimes have a direct impact on the community at large. If you are charged with drug crimes such as possession, possession with intent to distribute, distribution or trafficking of illegal drugs or narcotics, it is crucial that you obtain the best legal counsel to defend you and protect your rights.
If you have been charged with possession of marijuana, meth, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, or prescription drugs, you should speak with a Massachusetts drug crimes defense attorney as soon as possible. If you are seeking a thoroughly experienced, practical and resourceful drug possession lawyer in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, please contact The Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy right away. You can contact us by calling 617-367-0450 or submitting the contact form on our website. With many years of active experience, Attorney Murphy is versed in all strategies for dealing effectively with drug possession charges.
More Blog Posts:
Massachusetts Motorcyclist Arrested for Reckless Driving, Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published October 24, 2013
Winthrop Auxiliary Police Officer Arrested on Drug Charges, Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published October 17, 2013