Dedicated Rhode Island Drug Offense Attorney Ready To Assist You
Serving All of Rhode Island Including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Newport, Bristol, East Providence, and Pawtucket
What Sets Us Apart From Other Lawyers?
- Free, confidential case evaluations
- Available 24/7 to clients, dedicated to delivering timely and consistent communication every step of the way
- Award-winning — Super Lawyers; National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40; R.I. Monthly Professional Excellence; Top 10 Attorney-Client Satisfaction, and more!
- Track record of success
Call Us Now.
Drug Charges in Rhode Island:
Abilheira Law, LLC lawyer serves all of Rhode Island and have been successfully defending those accused of drug-related offenses for years, some of which include:
- Possession of Marijuana
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession with intent
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Prescription drug crimes
- Drug Distribution
- Manufacturing/Cultivation
- Medical Marijuana Act Violations
- And more!
Penalties for these crimes can have severe legal repercussions ranging from large monetary fines, drug counseling programs, probation, or jail time. A conviction for a drug crime may also have long-lasting consequences, like disqualification from employment and difficulty obtaining housing.
Schedule of Controlled Substances
When you are charged with a drug-related offense, you will commonly hear terminology regarding the schedule of the narcotic. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) categorizes drugs into one of five schedules based upon the substance’s medical use, the potential for abuse, and safety or dependence liability.
Some common drugs and their schedules are listed below.
- Marijuana- Schedule I
- Heroin- Schedule I
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)- Schedule I
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)- Schedule I
- Cocaine- Schedule II
- Morphine- Schedule II
- Oxycodone- Schedule II
- Morphine- Schedule II
- Phencyclidine (PCP)- Schedule II
- Methadone- Schedule II
- Fentanyl- Schedule II
- Methamphetamine- Schedule II
Possession of Marijuana
As marijuana becomes more prevalent in today’s society, many individuals find themselves facing charges for possession of marijuana. The penalties of such a charge are determined by the amount you possess at the time of your arrest.
Penalties for possession of marijuana include:
- Possession of Less than 1 ounce—Civil violation- $150 fine
- Possession of Marijuana between 1 oz. and 1 kg—Misdemeanor- up to 1 year in jail and $500 fine
- Possession of Marijuana Between 1 and 5 kg—Felony- 10 to 50 years in jail and $500,000 fine
- Possession of more than 5 kg of Marijuana—Felony- 25 years to life in jail and $100,000 fine
You can experience further penalties for possessing marijuana while driving, including a driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months.
Each additional conviction for possession of marijuana will increase the punishment. Penalties are doubled for a second offense and tripled for a third offense.
If you have been charged with possession of marijuana, your Rhode Island drug offense attorney can protect your rights, your reputation, and your future. With aggressive courtroom representation, personal attention, and honest advice, we have successfully handled cases involving drug charges throughout the state. Don’t wait another moment to contact our skilled RI drug crimes lawyer. We want to be your bridge to justice.
Call us now.
Possession of a Controlled Substance in Rhode Island
While marijuana possession punishments can vary according to quantity, possession of other controlled substances are always felony charges. This includes possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of fentanyl, and more. These charges carry the following penalties:
- Prison for up to three (3) years
- Fine of $500 to $5,000
- Up to one hundred (100) hours of community service
- Attend and complete a drug counseling and education program
- Pay $400 towards a general fund for the drug-education program
- Loss of driver’s license for up to six (6) months to one (1) year, if the substance was in a motor vehicle
Take Action Against Your Drug Possession Charges Today
Drugs can be a serious threat to your future. Not only will a conviction lead to jail time, but it will also have long-lasting effects. A drug conviction on your record will significantly limit your chances of finding gainful employment.
Our highly-qualified Rhode Island drug crimes lawyer will challenge each aspect of the prosecution’s case and craft a defense that works for you!
Call us today to request your consultation to discuss your case.
Contact Abilheira Law, LLC online or by calling us directly.
Possession with Intent in Rhode Island
Have you been arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver? Contact our Rhode Island possession with intent drug lawyers immediately to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional. Our Rhode Island drug offense lawyer can help you understand your case, your rights, and your options for building a defense. With extensive experience and a track record of success, we are ready to provide aggressive and effective advocacy.
Understanding Your Charges
In order to be charged for possession with intent in Rhode Island, a defendant does not need to have actually sold a controlled substance. In fact, most evidence used to prove intent to sell is circumstantial.
Circumstances that are often used to prove intent to distribute include:
- Possessing a quantity of a controlled substance in an amount greater than reasonable for personal use
- Possessing a large amount of cash
- Possessing paraphernalia typically used for the distribution of controlled substances
- Having numerous visitors for brief meetings
- Police officers using confidential informants or undercover officers to set up controlled buys
Penalties for Possession with Intent in Rhode Island
The penalties for a conviction of possession with intent to manufacture or distribute depends on the type and quantity of the controlled substance that was found.
Penalties for possession with intent include:
- Schedule I and II controlled substance– up to 30 years in prison and fines of $3,000-$100,000
- Schedule III, IV controlled substance– up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $40,000
- Some Schedule III substances – up to five years in prison and fines of up to $20,000
- Schedule V – up to one year in prison and fines of up to $10,000
A minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $3,000 fine applies to conviction for possession of the following quantities:
- One ounce to one kilogram of heroin
- One ounce to one kilogram of cocaine
- One to ten grams or 100 to 1000 tablets of PCP
- One-tenth of a gram to one gram or 100 to 1000 tablets of LSD
- One to five kilograms of marijuana
Fight for Your Freedom – Contact Abilheira Law, Today
Contact the firm today to get started.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Rhode Island
Most people are aware they can be charged with a crime if they are in possession of an illegal controlled substance, but few are aware they can be charged with a crime even if they simply possess drug paraphernalia. Contact the experienced drug paraphernalia lawyer at Abilheira Law, LLC. We can help protect your rights and reputation when faced with drug charges.
Defining Drug Paraphernalia
Rhode Island defines drug paraphernalia as
“all equipment, products, and materials of any kind which are intended for use or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packing, repackaging, storing, concealing, ingesting, inhaling or introducing into the human body a controlled substance.”
Some examples of drug paraphernalia include the following:
- Ice pipes
- Water pipes
- Bongs
- Chillums
- Miniature cocaine spoons
- Testing equipment used for identifying the strength of controlled substance
- Blenders, bowls, and spoons intended for compounding controlled substances
- Kits used for planting, cultivating, or harvesting species of plants that are controlled substance
- Kits intended for manufacturing, compounding, converting, or preparing controlled substances
Intent vs. Design
Many of the items listed as drug paraphernalia also have other non-drug related uses. Likewise, items that are not specifically designed for drug use can be used as drug paraphernalia. When a prosecutor is trying to convict someone for a drug paraphernalia charge, they must prove that the individual had intended to use the object as drug paraphernalia. Proving intent will largely depend on the circumstances under which the item(s) were found. For example, prosecutors will typically look for items found with drug residue in or around it.
Penalties for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
In Rhode Island, possession of drug paraphernalia is punishable by:
- Up to $5,000 fine and/or
- Up to 2 years in jail
Possession with intent to sell or deliver paraphernalia to minors is punishable by:
- Up to $5,000 fine and/or
- Up to 5 years in jail
If you or a loved one has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, contact Abilheira Law today. We will aggressively fight against these charges!
Prescription Drugs and Criminal Charges in RI
National Institute on Drug Abuse says about 48 million people (ages 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in their lifetime—that accounts for approximately 20% of the United States population!
Accordingly, law enforcement agencies all across the country have increased prescription drug crime efforts in attempt to end this widespread, and increasing, epidemic. It is important to keep in mind that these types of crimes can involve not only local law enforcement agencies, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
A drug conviction on your record may also impose employment and personal life hardship—this is why it is essential you retain experienced counsel that has your best interests in mind.
Prescription Drug Penalties in Rhode Island are No Joke and May Include:
- 3-30 years in prison
- Community service
- Hefty fines
- And more!
If you or someone you know has been arrested for a prescription drug crime, you should contact Abilheira Law, LLC. Our Rhode Island drug crimes attorney is here to help you! Our experienced legal team is committed to serving clients facing prescription drug charges and do our best to get you a favorable outcome.
Our Rhode Island Drug Crimes Lawyer Helps Clients Facing Charges Regarding the Following Prescription Drugs:
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, OxyFast, Roxicodone)
- Oxycodone with acetaminophen (Roxicet, Endocet, Percocet)
- Oxycodone and naloxone (Targiniq ER)
- Fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora)
- Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER, Hysingla ER)
- Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo)
- Meperidine
- Methadone (Dolophine, Methadose)
- ADHD/ADD Prescriptions
- And more!
Our Rhode Island Drug Crimes Attorney Helps Clients Facing the Following Prescription Drug Charges:
- Illegal possession of a prescription drug
- Sale of a prescription drug to a minor
- Possession of a prescription drug with intent to distribute
- Prescription drug trafficking
- Prescription forgery
What If I Am Currently Facing a Prescription Drug Charge in Rhode Island?
Our skilled prescription Rhode Island drug crimes defense lawyers can help you save your freedom and restore your reputation. Give us a call today. Call us now or fill out our online form!
Experienced Rhode Island Drug Crimes Lawyer
Serving all of R.I.—including Cranston, Newport, Bristol, Warren, Warwick, East Providence, Pawtucket, and Barrington
Call Us.
What We Do:
That’s why at Abilheira Law, LLC it is our goal to (1) listen to you (2) advocate for you and (3) persevere for you so that you receive, hopefully, the best deal possible and move on with your life.
How Can We Help YOU?
Abilheira Law, LLC protects the constitutional rights of each and every one of its clients. In drug cases, our firm protects these rights by having the court suppress illegally obtained evidence. And in most drug cases, once the drugs get suppressed from evidence, the case is over, and your charge(s) dismissed.
Before making your decision to hire a RI drug crimes attorney to best serve you, hear what our prior clients have said about Abilheira Law, LLC! Read our Reviews now!
Our Successful Drug Crime Results:
Visiting A Common Nuisance – Dismissed
- Client was charged by the Pawtucket Police Department for visiting a common nuisance. Attorney Abilheira argued that her client’s conduct did not rise to the level of a crime, as she was merely present in a home when another person was arrested on drug charges. This legal argument secured her client an outright dismissal of the charges.
- Outcome: Dismissed and Sealed
Solicitation and Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substances Act – Case Dismissed
- Client charged with two counts of solicitation and two counts of conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act as a result of a sting operation by the Rhode Island State Police. Following lengthy pre-trial negotiations, Attorney Abilheira was able to place his client in Adult Drug Court. Upon completion of Adult Drug Court, the client’s case was dismissed and his record was sealed.
- Outcome: Case Dismissed
Possession of Marijuana- Dismissed
- Client, a pharmacy student, was charged with Possession of Marijuana. Client feared that a conviction for a drug crime could result in adverse consequences in college and later in his career. Attorney Abilheira was able to maintain client’s clean record by securing a dismissal of the charge.
- Outcome: Case dismissed.
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Simple Assault, and Disorderly Conduct
- Client while visiting friends at Bryant University was arrested for disorderly conduct. During the arrest, officers attempted to search client’s vehicle and client allegedly assaulted the officer to prevent the search. Upon searching the car, police discovered a Schedule IV drug. Attorney Abilheira secured a dismissal of the felony charge for Possession of a Controlled Substance and the charge of Simple Assault. Client was merely sentenced to a filing on the misdemeanor charge of Disorderly Conduct.
- Outcome: Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance dismissed, Simple Assault dismissed, Disorderly Conduct- Filing
Possession with Intent
- Client was part of a sting operation in Newport, where the police utilized snapchat to set up a drug sale. Client was pulled over by the police prior to the drugs actually changing hands, but was found with ten (10) pounds of marijuana. The prosecutor attempted to hold the client without bail while the case was pending. Attorney Abilheira secured the client’s release immediately. Additionally, the prosecutor was seeking a jail sentence based on the quantity of marijuana. Attorney Abilheira was able to negotiate a non-jail offer.
- Outcome: Client released on bail and did not serve jail time.
Our experienced legal practitioner also handles other types of cases, including:
- Driving under influence (DUI)
- Expungement
- Prostitution
- Theft Crimes
- Domestic violence
- Assault and battery
- Disorderly conduct
- Sealing and expungement
- Post-conviction relief
- Traffic offenses
- Resisting arrest
- Breathalyzer refusals
Contact Our Experienced Rhode Island Drug Crime Defense Firm today and let us work to achieve these results for you! Fill out a free case evaluation or contact us by email or phone to talk to a drug crimes defense lawyer about your drug charges.