Las Vegas Cocaine Lawyers, Adras & Altig

If you have been arrested in Nevada and police have filed cocaine charges against you, your reaction should be to contact a knowledgeable Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer immediately.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you should never try to deal with a charge of possession of cocaine or any felony drug charges on your own. Don’t fool yourself. Prosecutors will not go easy on you if you put yourself at their mercy. The attorneys at Adras & Altig have more than 30 years of combined experience defending the rights of residents and visitors to Las Vegas who are facing drug crime charges. Our lawyers will move quickly to uncover the factors that could make a difference in your case and develop a defense that may include getting the charges reduced or dismissed.

You will work directly with our law firm’s two partners, Paul Adras and Steven Altig, who are both respected defense attorneys. We take a team approach. From having handled thousands of cases, our criminal defense lawyers know that every case has unique factors to consider. We are committed to the principle that no one’s future should be ruined by a one-time mistake or lapse in judgment. We care about our clients’ future and are hardnosed when it comes to negotiating with prosecutors. We work to identify solutions to cocaine charges that serve the best interests of our clients.

Speak with a knowledgeable Las Vegas cocaine charges defense lawyer to learn how we can help. Call Adras & Altig today.

Laws and Penalties on Cocaine Possession in Nevada

The State of Nevada categorizes drug crimes involving cocaine as felonies. The various charges involving cocaine include:

• possession of cocaine
• possession of cocaine with intent to sell
• selling or manufacturing cocaine
• drug trafficking

Cocaine is referred to as a schedule II drug, meaning it has the potential for abuse and is listed in the second most dangerous category of drugs. Its street names include powder and blow. The penalties for conviction of cocaine charges can be harsh. The penalties depend on the amount of cocaine involved, and whether you have prior drug crime convictions.

Simple Possession of Cocaine

Under the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 453.336):

Conviction of a first or second offense of possession of a small quantity of cocaine for personal use is a Class E felony. Simple possession is punishable by a sentence of one to four years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

You may be eligible for probation in lieu of an active sentence if you do not have prior convictions of drug crimes.

Conviction of a third or fourth offense of possession of cocaine is a category D felony. It is punishable by a sentence of one to four years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

Possession with Intent to Sell Charges

Under Nevada’s drug laws, (NRS 453.337):

Conviction of possession of cocaine with intent to sell is a category D felony. A first conviction of the charge carries a sentence of one to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

A second conviction of possession of cocaine with intent to sell is a category C felony. It is punishable by up to five years in a Nevada state prison and up to $10,000 fine.

A third or subsequent conviction of possession of cocaine with intent to sell is a category B felony, which carries a sentence of three to 15 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines.

Selling, Trading, Transporting or Manufacturing Cocaine

Under Nevada drug laws (NRS 453.321):

A charge of selling, trading, transporting or manufacturing cocaine is a category B felony.

A first-time conviction of this drug crime is punishable by a sentence of one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

A second conviction is punishable by a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.

A third conviction carries a sentence of three to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.

Trafficking in Cocaine

This serious drug charge is a category A, category B or category C felony, depending on the quantity of cocaine involved.

Trafficking 28 grams to 199 grams of cocaine is a category C felony. A conviction of this offense carries a sentence of one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Trafficking 200 grams to 399 grams of cocaine is a category B felony. A conviction of this offense carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Trafficking 400 grams or more of cocaine is a category A felony. A conviction of this criminal offense carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

If you a facing a serious drug charge, then you need a seasoned and serious criminal defense attorney building an aggressive defense for you. Your future may depend on the attorney you select to represent you, so choose wisely.

What to Do if You Have Been Charged with Cocaine Possession

Many people come to Las Vegas to party, and cocaine is a common party drug. Every year, many people are arrested in Las Vegas and charged with possession of cocaine. The charges often involve small amounts of cocaine. Possession of a controlled substance is a serious charge, and you should not take it lightly. You should consult with a knowledgeable Las Vegas cocaine attorney and get a clear understanding of your legal rights.

If you typed the phrase “cocaine lawyer Las Vegas” into a search engine and found the Adras & Altig website, you have come to the right place to consult with a reputable and professional criminal defense lawyer. We represent clients facing drug charges in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. You do not want a criminal conviction on your record if it can be avoided.

If you have not been previously convicted of a drug offense, you may qualify for a Nevada drug court rehabilitation program that allows you to avoid going to jail as long as you comply with the terms of the program. We will review the details of your arrest and discuss the best way to proceed in your case.

Potential Defenses to NV Cocaine Possession Charges

There are a number of possible defense strategies that may be used if you have been charged with simple possession.

• You did not know that the cocaine was present if someone else left it there without your knowledge.
• You were entrapped by Las Vegas police. Police often use undercover officers in Las Vegas to make arrests. In some cases, our attorneys may be able to show that you were induced by an undercover officer into committing a crime that you would not have committed.
• The prosecution’s evidence was obtained by an illegal police search.
• There are gaps in the chain of custody of the evidence that can raise questions as to whether the evidence is tainted. The prosecution must be able to prove who had possession of the evidence from the time it was seized until it is introduced at trial.

Which defense strategy is most appropriate will depend on the specific facts of your case. The attorneys at Adras & Altig will investigate your case carefully and identify the facts that can bolster your defense and cast doubt on the prosecution’s theory of what occurred.

Driving Under the Influence of Cocaine in Nevada

It is a criminal offense to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by illegal drugs such as cocaine. If you pass a breath test, but fail a roadside sobriety test, police may suspect that you were driving under the influence of drugs.

Even if Las Vegas police do not find any bags of white powder or drug paraphernalia in your car, you can be arrested for drugged driving and face DUI drug charges if police suspect you are driving under the influence of drugs.

You can be charged with driving under the influence of cocaine if blood or urine tests indicated that you have a prohibited level of the illegal substance in your body. A conviction of a DUI drug charge can carry stiff penalties including jail and fines.

Facing Las Vegas Cocaine Charges?

If you have been arrested on cocaine charges in Las Vegas, you should speak with an experienced drug crime defense attorney as soon as possible. Our knowledgeable Nevada criminal defense attorneys will evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding your drug arrest. We will evaluate whether the arresting officer followed the proper protocols in charging you and executing a search of your property.

We respect our clients and provide attentive legal representation. We are here to help you, not judge you. If you call with questions and we are in court, we will do our best to respond to your call by the close of business when possible. Contact us to use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with Adras & Altig. Let us review how we can assist you.