Home » Drug Defense Attorney in Columbus, OH » Columbus Drug Paraphernalia Charge Attorney
Practice AreasColumbus Drug Paraphernalia Charge Attorney
Every day in central Ohio, people are charged with drug paraphernalia offenses. Drug paraphernalia isn’t restricted simply to items like marijuana pipes or bongs. Ohio law defines drug paraphernalia as anything that’s used in the process of production or consumption of illegal drugs. This could include a scale or balance used to weigh the drug as well as a spoon used to mix crack cocaine, a needle to inject heroin or a grinder to separate stems and seeds from marijuana.
The penalties for drug paraphernalia can range from a fine only, to up to 30 days in jail. The penalties depend largely on the code section you are charged under and on your prior criminal history.
If you are charged with drug paraphernalia under the Ohio Revised Code, you will be subject to a possible driver’s license suspension. In addition, a drug paraphernalia conviction could disqualify you from student financial aid loans and can also cause licensure issues in some professions.
Our Columbus drug paraphernalia charge attorneys take a two-pronged approach to all drug paraphernalia cases. First and foremost, we will figure out what mistakes the police made and what legal issues can be raised on your behalf.
Some potential legal issues we look for in every drug paraphernalia case include:
- Fourth Amendment violations;
- Warrants issued without probable cause;
- Miranda Rights warnings omitted, abridged or defied by police and prosecutors;
- Statements and evidence illegally obtained, or improperly allowed at trial; and
- Findings delivered as a result of canine searches (drug-sniffing dogs).
We do this by requesting discovery from the prosecutor. The discovery in a drug paraphernalia case will generally consist of a criminal complaint, police reports and additional investigative notes. As our client, you will receive a copy of everything received from the prosecutor for your review.
Based on the legal weaknesses in the State of Ohio’s case and any other mitigating factors, we will negotiate the best possible plea available with the prosecutor for you to consider in resolving your case.
If your case cannot be resolved satisfactorily with a plea, it would then proceed to a motion hearing (a hearing where the judge issues a ruling on an evidentiary issue) or a trial to the judge or jury, depending on the circumstances.
The second approach taken by our Columbus drug paraphernalia charge attorneys is to identify whether you have a substance abuse problem and if there are treatment programs available in lieu of a drug paraphernalia conviction or jail.
For nearly ten years, our Columbus drug paraphernalia charge attorneys have successfully represented clients on drug paraphernalia charges. That extensive previous experience will enable us to better help you.
Contact a Columbus Drug Paraphernalia Charge Attorney at LHA Today.
If you’ve been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, it’s important to know what you’re up against. If you have any questions left unanswered by this page, or if you need a competent, experienced drug paraphernalia attorney to fight for you in court, please contact us at (614) 500-3836 or via email at advice@columbuscriminalattorney.com.
Penalties
Illegal use or possession
- A jail sentence of up to 30 days
- In its place, your judge may sentence you to probation or other community control punishments
- At most, a fine of $250
- Possible suspension of your driver’s license, with
- A chance at receiving limited driving privileges, for going to work and other pre-approved purposes, at the judge’s discretion
- Possible suspension or revocation of your professional license
Dealing
- A jail sentence of up to 90 days
- In its place, your judge may sentence you to probation or other community control punishments
- At most, a fine of $750
- Possible suspension of your driver’s license, with
- A chance at receiving limited driving privileges, for going to work and other pre-approved purposes, at the judge’s discretion
- Possible suspension or revocation of your professional license
Selling to juveniles
- A jail sentence of up to 180 days
- In its place, your judge may sentence you to probation or other community control punishments
- At most, a fine of $1,000
- Possible suspension of your driver’s license, with
- A chance at receiving limited driving privileges, for going to work and other pre-approved purposes, at the judge’s discretion
- Possible suspension or revocation of your professional license
Illegal advertising
- A jail sentence of up to 90 days
- In its place, your judge may sentence you to probation or other community control punishments
- At most, a fine of $750
- Possible suspension of your driver’s license, with
- A chance at receiving limited driving privileges, for going to work and other pre-approved purposes, at the judge’s discretion
- Possible suspension or revocation of your professional license
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my driver's license be suspended even if I wasn’t driving a car when charged?
Can I get driving privileges when my license is suspended?
How will a drug conviction affect financial aid for college?
Can I seal the record of my Ohio drug conviction?
Will I lose my professional license?
Resources
- Ohio Revised Code: Drug Paraphernalia (Chapter 2925.14)
- Ohio BMV: Drug Offenses
- Driver’s License Reinstatement Procedures
- Ohio Drug Courts – These offer programs for drug offenders that may serve as alternatives to jail time.
- NORML – a nonprofit working to reform marijuana laws
- Narcotics Anonymous Ohio
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
For over a decade, the Columbus criminal defense attorneys at LHA have successfully represented clients on criminal offenses ranging from minor misdemeanors to first degree felonies. That extensive previous experience will enable us to better help you.
Talk to a Columbus Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you have any questions about the material or if you need an experienced, competent attorney, call the Columbus criminal defense lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates at (614) 500-3836.
