Drug Possession Charges Filed Against Howard County Man

Savage Man Arrested for Drug Possession

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On September 30, 2013, Howard County Police detectives raided the home of a resident in the 9000 block of Baltimore Street, reported The Baltimore Sun. Acting on an anonymous tip, officers executed a search warrant, which produced extensive evidence to support drug possession charges, including manufacturing, production and distribution of marijuana.

According to police reports, the drug possession charges resulted after Howard County police discovered that the resident had retrofitted a room under the house for the cultivation of marijuana, installing heat insulation, a ventilation system and high-density lighting. The defendant had even employed scented materials to conceal the smell of the plants. Detectives found marijuana plants and seeds, as well as fertilizer and baggies of pot, both in the house and in an adjacent shed. During their search, they also uncovered a loaded handgun as well as other firearms.

The residence had been a licensed child care center, but officials at the state’s Department of Education confirmed that the license was suspended. The Howard County man has been released on bond, but police say the investigation is not closed and that other charges may ensue.

Howard County, MD, Drug Possession Attorney

With more than three decades in practice, attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has a long track record of obtaining positive results for people facing criminal and drug possession charges throughout Maryland. He takes a thorough approach to criminal defense, carefully examining the facts and circumstances of your case, and confirming that police followed proper procedures and your constitutional rights were not violated.

Attorney Smith has built a strong reputation with clients and colleagues, earning honors as a Maryland Super Lawyer and an AV rating under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. Recognized as a 2012 Top Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer magazine and Martindale-Hubbell, he has also received the Clients’ Choice Award from AVVO, based on an average client review of 5 stars (the highest rating possible). He also holds a 10.0 Superb rating as a litigation attorney from AVVO.

Maryland Drug Possession Lawyer

To learn how we can help protect your constitutional rights in a criminal matter, or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment. We defend people throughout Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Defense Against Marijuana Cultivation Charge – Maryland

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Maryland law enforcement officials take cultivation or the growing of marijuana seriously. Overzealous police and detectives may use intrusive and possibly unlawful investigative techniques to ferret out marijuana cultivation growers. They may use technology that unlawfully invades the privacy of Maryland residents. They analyze water and electric bills to discern whether excessive quantities are being used to grow marijuana for possible sale or distribution.

It’s not right. It’s not fair. But it happens. And if you have been arrested on a marijuana cultivation charge, having an attorney experienced in defending clients against these types of charges can mean the difference between your having a bright future and spending many years in prison.

Mandatory Minimum Sentence on Conviction

If you have been convicted of a drug crime in the past, you may be facing a mandatory minimum sentence if you are convicted a second time. Depending on the quantity of marijuana plants confiscated or the weight of the marijuana you have been arrested for, you may be facing a mandatory minimum sentence on conviction of a marijuana cultivation charge.

Questions in Any Marijuana Cultivation Charge Case

  • How did law enforcement officials learn of the marijuana cultivation?
  • Was the search and seizure of the marijuana in accordance with the law?
  • Did the police have probable cause to arrest you?
  • Did authorities have a warrant to search the premises or the property?
  • Were water or electric utility bills obtained in a legal manner?
  • Were the rights of the person charged violated at any point during the arrest or thereafter?
  • Was the marijuana being grown for personal medical use?

Top Rated Howard County Drug Possession Attorney

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous marijuana and drug possession charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in marijuana and drug possession charges, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.

Defend Against Marijuana Cultivation Charges – MD Criminal Defense Attorney

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer at the Smith Criminal Defense Law Firm, call us at 410-740-0101 or contact us online. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Maryland Medical Marijuana Defense

Arrested for Medical Marijuana Use or Possession in Maryland?

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If you have been arrested for possession of marijuana, but you are using it out of medical necessity, Maryland law allows an affirmative medical marijuana defense. This means that medical marijuana use has reduced the potential penalty depending on the amount of marijuana in possession.

The general penalty for possession of marijuana is a sentence up to 1 year or a fine up to $500, or both. There is no jail penalty, and only a maximum of a $100 fine, if the accused possessed one ounce or less of marijuana for medical purposes and can demonstrate a legitimate medical need for the cannabis.

How do I Establish a Medical Marijuana Defense?

To establish a medical necessity defense, you must prove the following:

  • You have a “debilitating medical condition” that has been diagnosed by a physician with whom you have a “bona fide physician-patient relationship;”
  • The debilitating medical condition is severe and resistant to conventional medicine; and
  • Marijuana is likely to provide you with therapeutic or palliative relief from the debilitating medical condition.

The defense may not be used if you were using marijuana in a public place, or in possession of more than 1 ounce of marijuana.

Feds Not on Board with Medical Marijuana Use

Despite state lawmakers legalizing medical marijuana, federal law enforcement officials are not on board. For example federal prosecutors recently sent nearly 60 letters to medical marijuana clinics in Orange County, Florida, where it is legal to dispense medical marijuana, threatening criminal charges if they continued to sell medical marijuana.

What Amount Is Legal?

Those who cultivate marijuana or who have larger amounts can still raise that affirmative defense, and can have their sentence mitigated. However, this is far more difficult. Sometimes, a person who uses marijuana for medical purposes will grow many marijuana plants, so that they can have a continuous, inexpensive supply. The police may not see it that way, however.

Top Rated Howard County Drug Possession Attorney

Mr. Smith is a top rated attorney and former prosecutor with more than 30 years of extensive trial experience. Attorney Smith has handled thousands of criminal cases in the local courts, including numerous possession of marijuana and drug possession charges. With a solid and longstanding reputation for personal service and thorough preparation, we get many of our new cases as referrals from existing or former clients, or from other attorneys. Mr. Smith fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in possession of marijuana and drug possession charges, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense lawyer at the Smith Criminal Defense Law Firm, call us at 410-740-0101 or contact us online. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to fight for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

ADDRESS :

  • Jonathan Scott Smith 10490 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 200 ,Columbia, MD 21044-4960

  • Call for consultation 410-740-0101