About Drug Crimes in Columbus

Columbus Drug Crime Defense Attorney

Mr. Koffel's Legal Blog on Drug Offenses in Ohio

Our law firm handles a wide array of drug cases in Ohio such as Trafficking in Drugs, Manufacture & Cultivation of Drugs, Possession of Chemicals, Drug Possession, Drug Paraphernalia, Deception to Obtain a Dangerous Drug, Illegal Processing of Drug Documents, Tampering with Drugs, Abusing Harmful Intoxicants and Posession of Drugs.

We have a specialized focus on Controlled Substance cases. Controlled substances are prescription pills. We defend doctors, nurses, patients, and other individuals who are mired in the addictive cycle of prescription pill abuse.

Also, our law firm frequently defends Ohio Cultivation of Marijuana cases. We have enjoyed a significant amount of success in avoiding prison terms for clients raided by law enforcement for "grow operations".

Trafficking in Marijuana has increased signifcantly since many western states have legalized marijuana. For instance, we represent people arrested for bringing "medical marijuana" into Ohio. Trafficking marijuana typically involves prison. However, our efforts have resulted in substantial reduction in sentencing for clients engaged in this activity.

Manufacture of Methamphetamine is not only extremely dangerous, it now carries a mandatory 3 year prison term in Ohio. Since 2010, we have witnessed a spike in "Shake and Bake" meth operations. Typically, we try to resolve these cases with a plea to a lesser charge of Illegal Assembly of Chemicals and argue for a non-prison term.

RECENT CASE RESULT: For example, we recently successfully avoided a 1 year prison term for a business owner who was charged with Illegal Conveyance of Controlled Substance into a Prison Facility, a felony of the 3rd degree. He was facing a sentence of at least 1 year in prison up to 5 years. In this particular case, the Ohio State Patrol had DNA and handwriting evidence tying our client to the crime. After very lengthy plea negotiations, the defendant entered a guilty plea to the charge. The prosecutor recommended prison time at the sentencing. After Attorney Tod Brininger presented mitigation to the Court, the judge sentenced our client to community control, and ordered him to serve 7 days in the local jail to be scheduled in the next 4 months. He was ordered to pay a fine, and was placed on 2 years of community control.

If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with any drug crime in Columbus, Ohio (or the following counties: Delaware, Morrow, Richland, Ashland, Knox, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, Clark, Champaign, Logan, Union, Marion it is critical that you get immediate legal representation from a Columbus drug crime defense lawyer. Law enforcement has been given the task to reduce the illegal drug trade in the Columbus area, and special task forces are entirely focused on arresting and charging drug users, drug traffickers and those who are in possession of illegal drugs of any kind. The penalties are extremely harsh for drug offenses in the state, and facing a drug offense without strong legal representation could have disastrous results. The legal team at Koffel Law Firm has over 15 years of experience in the defense of all types of drug charges, including the following:

Deception of Obtaining Drugs

TYPICAL CASE: When people use false pretenses to obtain prescription pills, this is called Deception to Obtain a Dangerous Drug. We normally see clients trying to obtain opiates (pain pills) and benzodiazepines (anxiety drugs)) from pharmacies. We also see alot of alprazolam offenses (Xanax, Ativan). This offense is related to the unlawful possession of a blank prescription pad. When officers find this on a person's possession, they often assume it is for use of illegally obtaining prescription medications and other drugs, including Vicodin, Xanax or Oxycontin. Click here if you would like to continue learning more about deception of obtaining drugs.

Drug Cultivation

The cultivation of illegal and dangerous narcotics is a charge that is administered to those who have allegedly grown drugs, including marijuana. When a person faces these charges, it is important to get immediate help – you may have the DEA or another federal agency investigating your charges. Click here to read more about drug cultivation.

Drug Paraphernalia

What is drug paraphernalia? Paraphernalia of drugs is any instrument used to sell, grow, distribute or use drugs; this includes bongs, pipes, hypodermic syringes or needles, baggies, scales, testing equipment, or manufacturing equipment. Click here if you would like to continue reading more about drug paraphernalia.

Drug Trafficking / Sale

The selling of illegal narcotics, including marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, LSD and meth, can land you serious consequences if arrested by a local or federal agency. If you have been accused of trafficking or selling narcotics in Columbus, Ohio, involving an attorney at your soonest convenience is strongly suggested. Click here to read more about drug trafficking / sale.

Heroin

Heroin, a dangerous narcotic with a high chance of abuse and addiction, is illegal in the state of Ohio as well as in the United States. It is illegal to use, sell, distribute or traffic this type of drug, as well as any paraphernalia that may suggest personal use or sales. Click here if you would like to continue reading more about drug crimes of heroin.

Possession of Drug Documents

Possessing drug documents, including a prescription pad or a prescription for a drug that is not in your name, is against the law. Those who are found to be unlawfully possessing drug documents can face up to 12 months jail time in addition to a $2,500 fine. Click here to read more about the possession of drug documents.

Possession of Drugs

If you have been arrested for possessing an illegal type of drug, immediately speak to a Columbus criminal defense attorney. You will need serious representation, as the state of Ohio has strict laws regarding drug crimes and will enforce maximum penalties if found guilty. Click here to read more about possession of drugs.

Rx Drug Chart

Look into the Rx drug chart more in depth, provided by a Columbus criminal defense lawyer at the Koffel Law Firm. The chart provides information as to the classification of certain illegal narcotics and the penalties associated with the conviction of possessing each drug. Click here to view the Rx drug chart.

Trafficking Marijuana

Trafficking, possessing and cultivating marijuana for any purpose is against the law in the state of Ohio. Furthermore, the federal government has banned this as well. If you have been accused or are currently under investigation for trafficking of marijuana, please call the Koffel Law Firm immediately. Click here to learn more about crimes of trafficking marijuana.

Vicodin

As a prescription medication and pain killer, Vicodin can be used illegally and without lawful reasons, leading to serious criminal charges. Possessing an unlawful prescription of Vicodin can hold grave consequences, even for a first time offender. Click here to continue reading more about crimes related to the possession or use of Vicodin.

Drug Crime Defense Lawyer in Columbus

If you are facing any drug offense, the legal team at Koffel Law Firm is highly qualified to defend the case. The firm has been named in "Best Lawyers in America" and "Ohio Superlawyers". What that means to you is that the firm has been proven to be extremely capable and successful in defending cases in court. This is of utmost importance as your case may go to trial. At trial, a whole new set of qualifications is necessary other than an understanding of the laws surrounding drug cases. Courtroom talent is vitally important in drug cases, as well as other criminal charges. It is up to the defense attorney to show how there is reasonable doubt that the crime was committed by the client.

To read a related blog posting on Medical Marijuana in Ohio, click Medical Marijuana in Ohio.

In some cases, constitutional rights have been violated when overzealous law enforcement made the arrest. There are often openings for the defense that can result in a suppression of evidence against you. Your case should be reviewed and evaluated at once to determine how to move forward quickly with the defense.

CASE EXAMPLE: OHIO FELONY DRUG POSSESSION AND OHIO DUI CHARGES AVOIDED - our client, a construction foreman, was arrested for DUI / OVI and Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a Felony of the 5 ^th Degree. After a call from a local home improvement store about an impaired driver, our client was arrested. The client retained Attorney Tod Brininger to represent him. After negotiations, the DUI / OVI case was dismissed in Licking County Municipal Court. Our client was placed into ILC (Treatment in Lieu of Conviction) for a period of two years. After successful completion of ILC, his felony case will be dismissed as well. (Represented by Tod Brininger)

Contact a Columbus drug crime defense lawyer from Koffel Law Firm 614-675-4845.