Shreveport Marijuana Possession Lawyer

Marijuana Possession Laws in Shreveport

In Shreveport, you can’t carry marijuana unless you have a medical card prescribed by a licensed doctor. If you got arrested for recreational possession of this drug, you could be subject to the following punishments:

First Time Offender (Misdemeanor)

If you’ve never been arrested for drug possession before and carry 14 grams (0.5 ounces) or less of marijuana, you can face a maximum fine of $100. This offense doesn’t generally warrant jail time.

However, if it’s your first arrest and you carry more than 14 grams of marijuana, you could be subject to a $500 fine, a maximum of six months of jail time, or both.

Second Time Offender (Misdemeanor)

If you were caught for a second time and have more than 14 grams, you could face a $1,000 fine, a maximum of six months of jail time, or both.

Third Time Offender (Felony)

For a third arrest, you will often be charged with a felony. You may face a $2,500 fine, a maximum of two years of jail time, or both.

Common Defenses Leveraged by Shreveport Marijuana Possession Lawyers

At John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, we conduct a thorough investigation of your marijuana possession case to find opportunities for defense. The direction we take depends on your unique situation. Some common defenses are:

Unlawful Search and Seizure

Unlawful search and seizure means that the police officer who searched you and found marijuana didn’t have a warrant or probable cause to do it. For example, if a police officer stopped your car because you were speeding and searched the vehicle without your permission.

While some exceptions to the search and seizure procedures exist, your Shreveport marijuana possession lawyer can help you craft the best defense.

Unknowingly in Possession

In the case that the marijuana in your possession wasn’t yours, or you didn’t know you had it, our marijuana possession lawyers in Shreveport, LA may be able to argue unwitting possession. For example, a passenger in your car was using drugs and left them there without your knowledge.

While this argument is difficult to prove, with the right evidence, it’s possible to build a strong case against another party.

Entrapment

Entrapment is when police officers induce you to do something (for example, buy or sell drugs) that you wouldn’t otherwise do.

This is a complicated situation that requires extensive knowledge and experience in local criminal laws. Our Shreveport marijuana possession attorneys can argue that someone put unlawful pressure on you against your will.

What to Do After Being Arrested for Marijuana Possession

After your arrest, you need to stay calm. A few steps to take after being arrested include:

Hire an Marijuana Possession Attorney

With a skilled Shreveport marijuana possession attorney on your side, you can be sure that your rights are protected. A Shreveport, LA marijuana possession lawyer can:

• Collect evidence
• Speak to witnesses
• Explain the course of action
• Build a strong defense strategy

Even if it seems that all the evidence is against you, an experienced Shreveport marijuana possession attorney with knowledge of local laws under their belt may be able to come up with a defense strategy that keeps the penalty to a minimum.

Know When to Speak

Before you hire a marijuana possession attorney, try not to share any information with the police or anyone else. Even a small detail could be incriminating. However, when working with your Shreveport marijuana possession lawyer, make sure to be honest and upfront.

Keep Records

After contacting a Shreveport marijuana possession attorney, the best you can do is calm down and try to remember as much as you can about the arrest. Every detail counts. If your rights were violated, we can use it to avoid unfair punishment.  

An experienced Shreveport marijuana possession attorney from John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm remains by your side throughout the legal action. We can help you make the right decisions, avoid serious mistakes, and prevent unlawful penalties.