Blanchard, LA Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

Being arrested for a drug charge in Blanchard can have severe impacts on your personal, professional, and legal future. These charges are typically harshly prosecuted, and you need a solid defense. Whether you have been charged with possession of an illegal drug at your home along Garfield Avenue, or you’ve been stopped along Pine Hill Road for suspected drug use, you need to hire a Blanchard, LA, drug crime defense lawyer who can protect your rights.

John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, Is Here to Defend You

For over 32 years, the criminal defense team at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, has been fighting for men, women, and juveniles who find themselves accused of drug-related crimes throughout North Louisiana. We don’t shy away from even the most difficult of cases and are here to fight in order to protect your future. We have handled thousands of cases at the Caddo Parish Courthouse on Texas Street in Shreveport and are now ready to turn our attention to you.

John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, is proud to offer all of our clients end-to-end criminal defense, meaning that we are here to fight for you from the beginning of your case all the way to appeals if the need arises. We are not just about avoiding convictions, but we stress the importance of protecting your livelihood above all else. Our established relationships with judges and prosecutors operating in Caddo Parish offer us a unique defense position. 

Common Drug Charges in Blanchard, LA

While drug crimes have decreased in recent years by 3%, over 870,000 Americans were arrested for drug charges in 2023 alone, and one individual is arrested for a drug crime every 35 seconds across the country. The penalties for your drug crime will typically depend on the quantity of drug involved and the “schedule” of said drug. In Caddo Parish, drugs and controlled substances fall into one of five separate categories. These categories, or schedules, are:

1. Schedule I. These drugs are typically considered to have a high potential for abuse and virtually no accepted medical application. They include drugs such as heroin, LSD, peyote, and ecstasy.
2. Schedule II. These drugs can include cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methamphetamine. 
3. Schedule III. Drugs in this category typically include ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, testosterone, and anabolic steroids.
4. Schedule IV. These drugs include certain prescriptions like Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Tramadol, Ambien, and Soma, and can be involved in a crime when a legal and valid prescription is not present. 
5. Schedule V. This can include more common medications such as Lyrica, Motofen, and Robitussin AC.

Understanding the exact charge you are also being arrested for can help you better plan your defense. The most common drug charges in Louisiana that we handle are:

• Simple possession. This crime includes any small amount of certain controlled substances for personal use. While it is typically considered a lesser drug offense, you can still face fines, probation, jail time, and a criminal record. 
• Possession. This includes the possession of controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or certain prescription drugs without a valid prescription. The penalties involved can be severe, and having an attorney on your side in a case like this is essential. 
• Possession with the intent to distribute. This crime can arise when an individual is found to have a certain quantity of controlled substances in their possession, or there are other circumstances present that suggest they plan to sell or distribute those substances. Evidence in these cases often includes large amounts of cash, scales, and certain packing materials. 
• Manufacturing. The creation of drugs, whether through cultivation or manufacturing, is illegal in Blanchard and across Caddo Parish. 
• Trafficking. This crime involves the illegal importation, distribution, or transportation of large amounts of illegal drugs or controlled substances. This offense can often be prosecuted at the federal level, meaning it will come with severe penalties like years of prison time and thousands of dollars in legal fines. 
• Drug distribution or intent of distribution. This crime typically involves the selling, possession, or delivery of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute the drug. Evidence or factors often used by prosecutors in these cases include the quantity of drugs involved and any packing materials that may have been found in your possession. 
• Drug-free zone crimes. These offenses take place when any drug-related crime occurs near a school, park, or similarly protected area. These crimes usually see heightened penalties as the offense itself is seen to be a risk for children and families. 

If you have been charged with any of these drug-related crimes, you need to reach out to the defense team at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, as soon as possible. 

Penalties for Louisiana Drug Charges

The legal penalties one could face for a drug conviction vary depending on the type of drug involved and the amount involved in your alleged criminal act. The most common punishments, however, can include the following:

• Thousands of dollars in fines
• Probation or community service with strict conditions
• Prison time, lasting decades in severe cases

Due to the variety of penalties involved, you need to hire an attorney who can review your case and help determine the correct course of defense. You need a lawyer who is ready to do whatever it takes to defend your future, livelihood, and freedoms. 

Fighting for You When You Need It the Most

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Hire a Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a drug crime in Blanchard, Louisiana, you need to hire a drug crime defense lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you secure legal representation, the sooner you can work on strategizing a strong defense. The truth is, after a drug arrest, time is not on your side, and you need to hire an attorney right away. At John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, we are here for you.

Contact us via our online form to schedule an initial consultation and let us figure out the right path moving forward.