Hernando, Mississippi, Drug Crime Attorneys
As Hernando, Mississippi, drug crime attorneys, we get calls all the time from people who have been arrested for a wide variety of drug-related offenses. Though Hernando is a quiet town of not even 10,000 people, its proximity to a big city like Memphis and its central location near Intestate 55 and Interstate 69 mean that all kinds of people travel through the area.
Though Hernando is a small place, arrests involving serious drug charges take place all the time and require the skill of a competent Hernando drug crime attorney. One of the most important aspects of any drug charge in Mississippi is whether the case is in state court or federal court. Though the penalties for convictions in both court systems are severe, the difference is important to understand.
If you are facing drug charges in a Mississippi State Court, be prepared for prosecutors to treat the case very seriously, even if the amount of drugs at issue is very small. Prosecutors have an interest in appearing tough on crime, even if your situation is not especially severe.
In state courts, the first issue to be determined is how much of the drug in question is at issue. The larger the amount the more serious the potential charges. For instance, in Mississippi it is misdemeanor to possess 30 grams or less of marijuana. Such a charge comes with relatively short periods of jail time, if any at all, as well as relatively small fines. However, if you are found to be in possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana, the penalties become exponentially greater. This is because possession of greater than 30 grams of marijuana is considered a felony in Hernando, MS and punishable with potentially years in jail and many thousands of dollars in fines.
The attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton have handled many such cases and are here to help you if you run into similar trouble. We won’t judge you or make you relieve your painful mistakes; it’s our job to help move you forward so you can start a new life.
The federal court system also involves very harsh penalties for drug crimes. The most serious penalties are handed down for drugs such as crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine. In federal court, judges can even be forced to apply mandatory minimum sentences, forcing their hand to incarcerate defendants for longer than they may have wanted. These mandatory minimums are scary and are increased if a defendant is accused of using a firearm during the commission of the drug crime. Use of a gun can add five more years to an already lengthy sentence. The rules of procedure in federal courts differ from those in state courts and it’s important that your criminal defense attorney be familiar with those differences.
The Hernando drug crime attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton understand these critical differences and are here to help you in your time of need. If you, or someone you know, have been charged with a drug crime in Hernando, Mississippi or the surrounding area, you should consult with an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law. An experienced attorney will know whether it is in your best interest to submit to the charges and work out a plea agreement or whether to contest the charges and go to trial. The Hernando, Mississippi drug crime attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton will work hard to assist you in your defense and ensure your freedom. Contact us today.