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Louisiana Drug Crime Lawyer
Call Us | 318-377-1555
Drug Offense Attorney in Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, & Ruston, LA
Being charged with a drug offense is an extremely stressful situation. Depending on the specific charges you’re facing, if you’re convicted, a drug offense can be life-altering. In the state of Louisiana, prosecutors staunchly pursue drug charges. From misdemeanor to felony offenses, you can be sure that the state will pursue the most aggressive charges and the harshest possible penalties following a conviction.
If you’ve been charged with any drug offense, you should understand that your situation isn’t hopeless. The right assistance can help you mitigate your charges and reduce the severity of the potential consequences. Whether you’ve been arrested for simple possession or face more serious charges like trafficking or distribution, you should not face those charges alone. You need experienced legal counsel in your corner. In Louisiana, Eric G. Johnson is the lawyer you can trust.
What are Common Drug Offenses in Louisiana?
Drug charges can range from simple misdemeanors to multi-jurisdictional federal felonies. Whatever your specific case may be, just having an arrest on your record is a serious legal matter that carries repercussions for your future. Eric Johnson has handled dozens of criminal drug cases throughout his career, including:
- Drug possession
- Drug possession with intent to distribute
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Drug distribution
- Drug cultivation and manufacturing
- Drug trafficking
- Drug conspiracy
- Prescription drug offenses
Allow our criminal defense attorneys to carve a strong defense for you by collecting and examining all the evidence against you, negotiating with prosecutors and judges, gathering witnesses, and doing all it takes to produce the best possible outcome.
How Are Illegal Drugs Classified?
The consequences you can face for a drug crime in Louisiana are largely determined by the type and quantity of the drugs in question. The government ranks drugs based on their abuse potential and their medical use. There are five “schedules” in which all drugs are categorized; drugs placed in the upper schedules are more tightly controlled, meaning that the potential penalties for offenses involving these drugs are particularly harsh.
What Are Schedule I Drugs in Louisiana?
Schedule I substances generally have a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value. Perhaps the most controversial substance in Schedule I is marijuana, for which there is little evidence to suggest a high abuse potential, but much evidence to show that it contains medicinal value. Other drugs in Schedule I include:
- Heroin
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- LSD
- Synthetic marijuana
What Are Schedule II Drugs in Louisiana?
Schedule II substances have limited medical applications and high abuse potential. Examples include:
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
- Cocaine
- Fentanyl
- Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- Amphetamine (Adderall)
- Pentobarbital
What Are Schedule III Drugs in Louisiana?
Schedule III substances have a lower abuse potential than Schedule I or II drugs and have more accepted medical uses. These include:
- Secobarbital
- Ketamine
- Anabolic steroids
What Are Schedule IV and V Drugs in Louisiana?
Schedules in the bottom categories have many medical applications and mild abuse potential. Schedule IV substances include medications like Ambien, Valium, and Xanax. Schedule V substances have an even lower potential for abuse than those in Schedule IV and have many accepted medical uses.
Common Controlled Substances in Louisiana
Eric Johnson has defended defendants accused of drug offenses at the state and federal level. Some of the most common drug offenses in Louisiana involve the following substances:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- MDMA
- Methamphetamine
- Narcotics
- Prescription medications
Possible Drug Defenses in Louisiana
Depending on the type and quantity of the drug(s) involved in your case and other specifics, you may face time in jail or prison plus steep fines. You could also face extended prison terms and fines if you’re convicted on federal drug charges in Louisiana. Do not hesitate to seek legal counsel immediately upon arrest. The right legal counsel will help you with your case by developing a suitable defense. Common defense strategies in Louisiana include:
- Entrapment
- Unlawful Search and Seizure
- Mistaken Identity
- Planted Drugs
- Mistaken Ownership
For each drug offense, the defense strategy changes based on the details of the case. If you’ve been charged with a drug offense, a trusted attorney can gather evidence surrounding your case to develop the most effective defense.