Oklahoma law covers a wide range of drug offenses, with penalties that vary depending on the type of substance, the amount, and the circumstances of the case, including whether there was intent to distribute. If you’re facing drug charges in Norman or greater Cleveland County, the next steps you take have serious implications for your future. Working with a skilled defense team can give you a clearer understanding of your rights and the penalties you may be facing.
At Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman, our drug defense lawyers offer case reviews to help you explore your legal options and build a strong strategy for resolving your charges in Norman. Contact us today to get started with a consultation.
Oklahoma classifies drug offenses based on the conduct involved with the offense and the type and quantity of drugs. For example, possessing drugs for personal use may lead to certain criminal charges, whereas engaging in the manufacture, trafficking, or distribution of drugs can lead to more serious charges. The nature of drug offenses can also vary depending on whether the crime involves prescription drugs that a person might possess lawfully with a valid prescription or illicit drugs, such as Schedule I controlled dangerous substances.
At the law firm of Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman, our criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience representing clients facing drug charges in Oklahoma, such as:
A person may face a charge of simple possession when they intentionally or knowingly possess a controlled dangerous substance, except pursuant to a valid prescription from a medical practitioner acting in the course of their professional practice. Simple possession refers to the possession of drugs for personal use, as opposed to possessing drugs for transport or sale.
Drug possession in Oklahoma may become the more serious offense of possession with intent to distribute when a person possesses controlled dangerous substances under circumstances that indicate they intended to transport, distribute, or sell those drugs to others. A person can also face prosecution for possession of drug paraphernalia, which may include materials designed or used to consume drugs (e.g., bongs, pipes, needles, etc.) or equipment used to package drugs, such as scales and baggies.
Individuals can face prosecution for transporting drugs by air, vehicle, rail, bus, or mail/courier. Drug trafficking can lead to state or federal charges, depending on whether trafficking occurs across national borders or state lines or uses the Postal Service to transport drugs.
A person may face more serious criminal charges for participating in a larger scheme or conspiracy to manufacture, traffic, and distribute drugs, such as operating facilities to cultivate, manufacture, or process drugs, or managing a network of individuals engaged in transporting, distributing, and selling drugs.
Individuals may face prosecution for crimes related to prescription drugs, such as possessing drugs without a valid prescription, forging a prescription order to obtain drugs, or engaging in prescription fraud. Prescription drug crimes in Oklahoma may involve providing false or misleading information with the intent to get prescription drugs that one does not medically need, or practicing “doctor shopping” – seeing multiple medical providers to obtain more than one prescription for the same drug.
Our Norman law firm also represents clients in other drug-related offenses, such as drugged driving charges, weapons charges (e.g., possession of weapons by prohibited persons, possession of weapons for an unlawful purpose, etc.), or drug conspiracy charges.
The penalties that may result from a drug conviction can depend on various factors, such as the grading of the offense (e.g., misdemeanor vs. felony, the degree of felony), the type of drugs involved, and the quantity of drugs possessed. Misdemeanor offenses typically carry penalties that include fines of hundreds of dollars or jail time of up to one year. Felony offenses can carry penalties including one or more years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
Drug convictions can have other long-term consequences for individuals, such as:
Finally, a drug arrest or conviction can lead to a criminal record that imposes a stigma, which can follow a person through background checks that reveal their criminal record. Having a criminal record with drug offenses can make it more challenging to pursue housing, educational, financial, or employment opportunities until a person pursues expungement of their criminal record (if eligible to do so).
Drug cases can involve complex facts and legal issues, making it essential to seek help from knowledgeable defense lawyers. An experienced law firm can help you build a comprehensive, practical defense strategy that challenges the prosecution’s case in various ways, such as contesting the legality of an initial police stop, a search of your person, vehicle, or home, or the reliability of evidence (including highlighting the lack of laboratory testing to confirm the nature of seized substances or breaks in the chain of custody of evidence). Seasoned attorneys can also advocate on your behalf even after conviction, fighting to mitigate the potential penalties you might face for a drug offense.
When law enforcement officers arrest you for a drug crime in Oklahoma, taking prompt action can best protect your rights and allow you to pursue your options for obtaining a favorable resolution to your charges. Some of your first steps should involve invoking your rights as a criminal defendant, including your right to remain silent and to consult an attorney. Your right to remain silent means that you do not have to speak to the police about your charges or answer officers’ questions. Furthermore, your right to an attorney means that you can consult a drug crime lawyer in Norman, Oklahoma, before deciding whether to speak with the police and to have legal counsel represent you throughout the criminal justice process.
Common questions that our lawyers hear from clients facing drug charges in Oklahoma include:
Prosecutors in Oklahoma often decide between charging a defendant with simple possession or possession with intent to distribute based on various circumstances, such as:
Oklahoma law grades a first-time conviction for simple possession of controlled substances as a misdemeanor offense.
The legal team at Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman can help you minimize or eliminate the potential for jail time after a drug conviction by developing a comprehensive defense strategy that focuses both on challenging the sufficiency of the prosecution’s case and creating a compelling argument for less harsh penalties that include less or no time in jail.
Following a drug-related arrest, your choice of legal counsel can make a difference in the outcome of your criminal charges. Don’t leave the outcome of your case to chance. Contact Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman today for a confidential consultation with an experienced Norman criminal defense lawyer to discuss your drug charges in Oklahoma and learn more about your options for pursuing a favorable resolution to your case.
