Drug Offence Solicitors in St Albans
Facing allegations of drug offences is stressful, and it is crucial to have expert advice and representation from the start to protect your rights. Our drug offence solicitors in St Albans deal with all types of drug-related allegations and charges and will ensure that your position is safeguarded and that you have the strongest possible defence.
As criminal law experts, our defence lawyers have many years of experience representing clients, including in serious cases with potentially substantial sentences. We are known as a leading criminal defence firm and have an excellent track record in providing robust representation.
We hold the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation accreditation in recognition of our legal expertise and outstanding standards of client service. We are listed in the main lawyer directories, The Legal 500, and Chambers & Partners for our criminal defence expertise.
One of our senior partners co-runs Criminal Appeal Lawyers with other leading criminal appeal practitioners, and our team members also belong to the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association.
Our criminal defence experts at Wells Burcombe can assist with all drug-related offences, including:
- Drug possession charges
- Drug dealing and supply charges
- Production of controlled drugs
- Drug smuggling and trafficking charges
Contact our drug offence solicitors in St Albans today
To discuss your legal needs with our criminal law solicitors in St Albans, please get in touch.
You can call our office on 01727 840900 or email info@wellsburcombe.co.uk for a free initial consultation.
We have a 24/7 emergency service that is always available. If you urgently need advice regarding a driving offence, please call 07592 034170.
How our drug offence solicitors in St Albans can help
Drug possession charges
Penalties relating to drug possession charges depend on the quantity of drugs and whether they are Class A, B or C. Larger quantities of Class A drugs can result in substantial sentences, particularly if the courts believe that the amount you have is for more than personal use.
Class A drugs include:
- Cocaine
- Crack cocaine
- Ecstasy or MDMA
- Heroin
- LSD
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
Class B drugs include:
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Cannabis
- Codeine
- Gamma hydroxybutyrate or GHB
- Gamma-butyrolactone or GBL
- Ketamine
- Synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones
Class C drugs include:
- Anabolic steroids
- Benzodiazepines or diazepam
- Khat
- Nitrous oxide or laughing gas
If you are facing allegations of drug possession, contact us straight away, and we will take immediate steps to help and advise you. It is important to speak to drug possession lawyers as soon as possible to ensure that you do not inadvertently damage your defence.
We will take steps to check that the police have followed the correct procedure in dealing with your case, including during any searches, interviews and subsequent legal proceedings.
Our team can also provide representation for individuals suspected of involvement in county lines offences, including minors and vulnerable individuals who may have been persuaded to transport drugs and those accused of arranging this.
Drug dealing and supply charges
Drug dealing and supplying drugs are taken very seriously by the authorities, and if you are accused of having more than is reasonable for personal use, the police will assume that it is for dealing and supply.
Offences relating to supply include:
- Possession with intent to supply, sometimes referred to as PWITS
- Conspiracy to supply
- Being concerned with the supply of drugs
These are serious offences with maximum sentences of life imprisonment. If you are arrested, you should speak to a criminal defence lawyer before you are interviewed by police.
Our solicitors specialising in drug offences can give you advice before you speak to anyone and discuss the best way of handling matters to protect your position.
Possession with intent to supply
To prove possession with intent to supply, the prosecuting authorities will need to show that:
- You were in possession of the drug, which means that it was in your custody or control, for example, in your home or in your car
- It is a controlled drug
- You intended to supply it to a third party
It may be possible to show that you did not have any intention to supply, in which case charges might be dropped, or you could face a lesser charge of possession.
Equipment such as scales, bags and burner phones can be used by the prosecution to show intent, as can large amounts of cash and possession of several different types of drugs.
The authorities will also look at evidence such as text messages, voicemail messages, CCTV footage and money, or expensive items such as property or an extravagant lifestyle, that seem beyond someone’s legitimate earnings.
Sentencing ranges widely, and issues such as the amount of drugs and any aggravating factors can affect the penalty.
A range of defences to possession with intent to supply are available, including:
- The defendant did not know that the drug was in their car, home, etc. because it had been put there by someone else.
- The defendant was not aware that the drug was controlled, although this is narrowly applied, and substantial evidence is necessary to show that this belief was reasonable.
- Duress, being pressured to commit the offence.
- Intoxication such that the necessary intention did not exist.
- Mistake over an aspect of what was happening.
Conspiracy to supply and being concerned in the supply of drugs
Conspiracy to supply drugs does not require the defendant to be found with drugs or to be carrying out the act of supplying them. It is enough if the prosecution can show that the individual was engaged in arranging to transport or sell drugs.
Similarly, if there is evidence that an individual intended to assist the supply chain in any way, they may be guilty of being concerned in the supply of drugs.
Despite the fact that it is not necessary to have drugs in your possession, this is a serious offence with substantial penalties if found guilty.
Our team have extensive experience in defending charges of conspiracy to supply and being concerned in the supply of drugs. We will work to build the strongest possible case on your behalf and ensure that you have the advice you need.
Production of controlled drugs
Production of controlled drugs attracts substantial sentences, and if you are facing an investigation or charges relating to this, you must speak to experienced drug supply solicitors as soon as you are able.
The offence includes acts such as allowing your premises to be used, funding production or providing equipment to produce drugs. The types of drugs that might be produced include cocaine, MDMA or ecstasy, methamphetamine, amphetamine and growing cannabis.
The quantities and type of drug alleged to have been produced will affect the level of sentence if someone is found guilty of the production of controlled drugs. Aggravating factors can include previous offences, the presence of weapons and involvement of minors or vulnerable individuals.
Mitigating factors may be available that could reduce a sentence. Examples include the age of the defendant, their role in the offence, the level of harm that could have been caused by their actions, remorse and the lack of any previous convictions.
We can advise you of your rights and work to build a robust case in your defence.
Drug smuggling and trafficking charges
Drug smuggling, including the import and export of drugs, is an exceptionally serious offence, attracting lengthy custodial sentences. As well as the offence of importation of drugs, there is an offence of conspiracy to import drugs, which carries the same level of sentence.
Conspiracy does not require importation to take place. This means it is a fairly wide offence and can be applied to anyone that the authorities believe was involved in arranging or agreeing to import drugs. Innocent individuals can end up facing allegations of conspiracy, for example, if they are involved in a meeting with someone or if their vehicle is used.
Because of the scope of this type of allegation, it is important to speak to solicitors specialising in drug offences as soon as you are advised that you are under investigation or facing charges.
A range of agencies may be involved in putting together a case, including the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the National Crime Agency (NCA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). As well as facing a potential prison sentence, assets may be frozen or confiscated.
We have extensive experience of dealing with this type of complex offence. We can step in straightaway to represent you and ensure that your position is protected as far as possible.
For more information on our services, see our criminal law solicitors in St Albans page.
What is Legal Aid and can I apply for it?
Legal aid provides financial assistance to cover the costs of legal advice and representation.
To find out if you qualify for Legal Aid, you can give us a call at St Albans on 01727 840900.
Contact our drug offence solicitors in St Albans today
To discuss your legal needs with our drug charges solicitors in St Albans, please get in touch.
You can call our office on 01727 840900 or email info@wellsburcombe.co.uk for a free initial consultation.
We have a 24/7 emergency service that is always available. If you urgently need advice regarding a driving offence, please call 07592 034170.