Drug Charges Attorney in Owensboro, Kentucky

In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a person may be arrested and charged for unlawfully possessing, trafficking, manufacturing, or cultivating controlled substances. Drug charges are serious and can have devastating, immediate, and life-long implications on your freedom, personal reputation, quality of life, eligibility for public benefits, and professional and future opportunities. With your future and liberty on the line, it is natural to feel terrified and overwhelmed.

It’s important that you can hire a highly-skilled and aggressive Kentucky criminal defense attorney. At Evan Taylor Law Office PSC, we are dedicated to offering comprehensive legal guidance and strong representation. Our skilled attorney can fight vigorously to defend your legal rights, refute the charges against you with factual evidence, and help keep your record clean as you face drug crime charges.

Evan Taylor Law Office PSC is proud to serve clients across Owensboro, Kentucky, and the surrounding cities of Henderson, Ohio County, Hancock County, and McLean County.

Federal Drug Crimes

Under both federal and state laws, individuals are prohibited from unlawful possession, manufacture, sale, and delivery of drugs or a controlled substance. But a drug offense can become a federal drug crime when:

• The defendant was arrested while committing the drug crime on federal property

• An undercover federal officer arrested the defendant

• It involves other criminal activities

• Drug crime crossed between state lines (such as drug trafficking or distribution)

• Drug crime is considered extremely serious and must be punished severely

An experienced attorney can evaluate the surrounding circumstances of your case and enlighten you about the nature and severity of your drug charges.

Drug Charges in Kentucky

In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, an individual may be charged with any of the following drug-related crimes:

Drug Possession

If found with – or having control over – illicit drugs or controlled substances, such as cocaine, marijuana, heroin, methamphetamines, and other drugs, a person can face drug possession charges. In Kentucky, drug possession charges are classified into first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree offenses.

Drug Trafficking

Under Kentucky law, an individual may be charged with drug trafficking for selling or distributing illegal drugs or controlled substances. Also, you may face drug charges for having other items that indicate trafficking, such as large quantities of drugs, a huge amount of cash, or a scale.

Drug Manufacturing

Due to the serious effects of methamphetamine on individuals, an individual may be facing drug manufacturing charges in Kentucky for manufacturing it or having other chemicals and equipment used to manufacture such drugs.

If you or someone you know has recently been arrested or indicted for a drug offense in Kentucky, you need to retain a highly-skilled criminal defense attorney immediately. Your lawyer can fight aggressively to uphold your legal rights and dispute the allegations against you with factual evidence.

Drug Schedules in Kentucky

In Kentucky, controlled substances are categorized into five schedules:

Schedule I: These are drugs with a high potential for abuse and have no known medical use. Examples include opium derivatives (heroin), opiates, marijuana, psilocybin, and hallucinogens (LSD).

Schedule II: These drugs have a high potential for abuse but have limited restrictions for medical uses. Examples include cocaine, methadone, methamphetamine, PCP, and morphine.

Schedule III: These substances have a moderate potential for abuse that is less than Schedule I or Schedule II drugs. They are strictly restricted for medical use. Examples include anabolic steroids, Ketamine, codeine, and Suboxone.

Schedule IV: These substances have a lower potential for abuse compared to Schedule III drugs. They are permissible for treatment purposes. Examples include depressants and stimulants, such as Xanax and Valium.

Schedule V: These are substances with an even lower potential for abuse. They are permissible for medical purposes. Examples include Lomotil, cough syrups, Robitussin AC, and Phenergan with codeine.

However, the severity of your penalties depends on the schedule classification of the controlled substance, the quantity of drugs involved, and other surrounding circumstances.

Possible Penalties of a Conviction

Depending on the quantity or type of drugs and other mitigating or aggravating circumstances, a drug crime conviction could potentially result in any of the following penalties and consequences:

• Prison sentences (ranging from months, years, or decades)

• Massive fines

• A criminal record/history

• Probation

• Mandatory drug treatment classes

• Increased difficulty in securing a job or housing

• Increased difficulty in securing public benefits or government assistance

• Inability to own, carry, or possess firearms

• Ineligibility for some financial loans

• Loss of voting rights

• Increased difficulty traveling to other countries

A skilled Kentucky drug charges defense attorney can identify your possible defenses and help you avoid the far-reaching punishment and consequences of a criminal conviction.

Work With an Experienced
Criminal Defense Attorney

Trying to defend your drug charges without reliable representation could easily make the process much more difficult and severe for you. You could be facing severe punishment, including hefty fines, lengthy imprisonment, a criminal record, and other devastating social ramifications. Therefore, when arrested and charged with a drug crime, it is imperative that you retain a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to protect your legal rights and strategize your defense.

At Evan Taylor Law Office PSC, we have devoted our career to handling criminal cases and defending individuals wrongly accused of drug law violations in Kentucky against the worst possible punishments. As your legal counsel, we can investigate every detail of your case thoroughly and outline an effective defense strategy in pursuit of the best possible outcome for your unique situation. Using our extensive knowledge, we will help you navigate the Kentucky criminal justice system and ensure that those allegations don’t ruin your life.