Drug Charges in Mason, OH
The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. can help you navigate the Ohio criminal justice system, formulating a strong defense strategy and fighting the drug charges against you. Call our nearby Blue Ash office at 513-549-0611 to learn more about how we can help you get the best outcome possible after a Mason, OH, drug possession arrest.
Why are Ohio drug possession laws more complicated than in most states?
Most states have fairly straightforward drug laws that depend on only the type of drug and the amount in your possession to determine the seriousness of the charges against you.
The system used in Ohio is more complex, relying on a formula to set a “bulk amount” for controlled substances, excluding marijuana, heroin, cocaine, LSD, hashish, and drug analogs.
If you have more than this limit of a particular drug in your possession, you face much more serious consequences if convicted. As an example, if you possess more than the bulk amount of a Schedule I or II drug, you can expect the following:
- A minimum prison term of one to five years for having as much as (but less than five times) the bulk amount
- A minimum term between two and eight years if you had more than five times but less than 50 times the bulk amount
- A minimum term of three to ten years for possession of more than 50 times the bulk amount
Our team will look into your arrest, compare your amount against the bulk amount, and determine your options based on how much over you were.
What can I expect during the legal process after a drug possession charge?
It can take up to a year to learn the outcome of your drug charge in an Ohio court. Following your arrest, police may detain you in jail for a short time before releasing you or offering bail. This depends on the facts of your case and when the court scheduled your arraignment.
Your arraignment is your first court appearance, and when you learn the charges brought against you. You can also enter a plea at this time. Within a few weeks of your arraignment, you will make your second court appearance, if you face felony charges. During this preliminary hearing, we present your side of the case to the judge. The prosecution introduces its evidence against you, and the judge decides if there is enough to warrant going to trial.
Unless we can convince the judge to drop the drug charges against you, we began preparing for your trial. During this time, the prosecution often offers a plea agreement. Depending on the specifics of your case, we may advise you to accept this deal. This means you enter a guilty plea for a lesser charge and face reduced penalties.
Without a plea deal, we continue to prepare your defense strategy, and represent you at your trial. Usually, a jury decides whether to convict or acquit you of drug charges. If they convict you, the judge outlines the penalties during a sentencing hearing.
Do I need a criminal defense attorney to fight the drug charges against me?
If you face a minor misdemeanor marijuana possession charge, you may not need a criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the court system. When you face more serious drug charges, however, you need an attorney who can help you mitigate the effects of your arrest and possible conviction.
In some cases, we can request you serve probation instead of jail time or other serious penalties. This helps you avoid missing work or school. Sometimes, we can even convince a judge to grant a diversion. After you complete this program and the associated probationary period ends, the court drops the drug charges against you.
Even if diversion or probation is not possible, we can often negotiate a plea agreement. If your case goes to trial, you can feel confident we will present a strong defense and fight for the best possible outcome for you.
Where can I get help with my Mason, OH, drug charges?
At The Farrish Law Firm L.P.A., our criminal defense lawyers know how Ohio’s drug laws work. We can evaluate your case, determine the strengths and weaknesses, and prepare an aggressive defense strategy to minimize the impact your arrest has on your life. Call our Blue Ash office today at 513-549-0611, or contact one of our other Southwestern Ohio offices to schedule your case analysis.
ATTORNEY DOUGLAS NICHOLAS
Doug pursued his legal education at Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where his passion for justice deepened. During his time in law school, he gained invaluable experience as an intern at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, where he developed his understanding of the criminal justice system and a commitment to advocating for fair treatment under the law. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]
"His years of experience and knowledge were clearly evident and un-refutable. From the moment we met him we had absolutely no doubt that we had complete professionalism at our service and we could not have chosen a more qualified attorney."
"I had a number of charges and ended up getting acquitted of all of them. I truly believe his knowledge and persistence is what got me through this case. I am very grateful and highly recommend him for his services."
"I highly recommend Mr. Farrish. He is very thorough and is well liked by all of the courts. A genuine attorney and you couldn't find a better in the area."
"The absolute best DUI lawyer in the tri state. Just short of a miracle worker"
Did you know there’s no real difference between the terms DUI, DWI, OMVI, and OVI? Ohio’s used all of these acronyms at one point or another in our history. Check out the timeline below and what they stand for here![...]
