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There are many drug-related offences in England and Wales, and all but the most minor offences (such as personal possession of a small amount of cannabis) are treated seriously by the court. Even for relatively minor drugs offences, you could receive a prison sentence if convicted.
The more serious offences (such as possession with intent to supply, supply, production, importation) may proceed to the Crown Court, where penalties can be much more severe. You should not face prosecution for an offence of this type without legal representation.
At Tyler Hoffman, our experienced drug offence solicitors have a wealth of experience in defending charges of drug dealing, intent to supply, drug possession and other related offences, involving class A, B and C drugs. We can defend your innocence and, where necessary, present mitigating factors to help you avoid the maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Speak to our experienced drug offence solicitors today for expert advice and representation. If you are suspected of drug trafficking, importation, supply, production or possession (with intent to supply or without), we are here to help.
Call us on 03300 536786
There are many different types of drug offences with which you may be charged. Our drug lawyers can support clients with the following types of drug charges:
Possession of a controlled drug is one of the most common charges. This offence involves simply having a controlled drug in your custody or control, which is an offence in itself under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Offences relating to possessing drugs for personal use may result in a fine or caution, especially for class C drugs (such as certain prescription medications for which you do not have a prescription). While the penalties for Class B drugs and higher (including everything from cannabis to cocaine) tend to be much more severe, this type of offence remains among the least serious.
This is a more serious offence than simple possession. It is an offence to possess a controlled drug with the intention of supplying it to another person. This charge can arise if:
Possession with intent to supply drugs carries significantly higher penalties, which can include lengthy custodial sentences, particularly for Class A substances.
Supplying controlled drugs means giving or selling drugs to someone else, regardless of whether you are paid for them. Supply of a controlled drug includes all forms of transfer to another person, no matter how informal - for example, sharing drugs among friends can be considered supply. Class A drugs supplied in this way can lead to a significant jail sentence, but it is vital to secure an experienced criminal defence solicitor even if only Class B or Class C drugs were involved.
The most common offence under this category is production of a controlled drug, which covers both the cultivation of cannabis plants and the manufacture of synthetic drugs. Even if drugs are produced for personal use, at a relatively small scale and without any intent to supply, this can result in drug charges for a drug production offence.
Importing or exporting controlled substances is a serious criminal offence. The use of the terms 'import' and 'export' does not mean that this is only illegal when carried out at an industrial level - any form of bringing drugs into the UK from abroad or taking them out of the country can result in charges. The penalties for a conviction depend on the class and quantity of the substance, and the drug lawyers at Tyler Hoffman can present mitigating factors to help you avoid the most serious penalties.
Under section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, it is an offence for an occupier or manager of premises to knowingly allow the premises to be used for the production or supply of controlled drugs, and for the preparation or smoking of cannabis or other controlled substances. If you own a flat where someone sets up a cannabis farm, you could be charged with an offence whether or not you were involved in drug production.
Conspiracy to supply drugs means agreeing with one or more people to commit supply, and this can lead to criminal proceedings even if no actual sale or supply took place. This is because attempting to commit a drugs offence - for example, trying to import drugs but failing - is illegal, and can lead to the same penalties as if the offence were completed. It is vital to have an experienced drug offence solicitor support you to build a robust defence if you are accused or suspected of any of these serious crimes.
Sentencing guidelines for drug offences vary according to the circumstances of your case and the specialist expertise of your solicitor. For example, in some cases, an early guilty plea may reduce the potential sentence and be the best approach. However, whether or not you receive the maximum penalty for most drug offences depends not only on whether or not you can build a strong defence and the advice you receive, but also on the classification of the drug.
Maximum sentences are more severe for Class A substances, and include life imprisonment. These offences are also more difficult to defend. However, even if you are found guilty, it is rare that you will receive the maximum prison sentence unless there are severe aggravating factors.
For possession offences, the maximum penalties are:
The more serious offences listed above, including possession with intent to supply, supply offences, production and drug trafficking, come with stronger sentences. These may include:
The solicitors at Tyler Hoffman have extensive experience in offering legal representation to clients accused of drug offences. We excel in everything from gathering and examining forensic evidence, to preparing you for court appearances, to representing you during police station interviews. We will work to protect your legal rights and deliver the best possible outcome.
If you are convicted of a drug offence the prosecution can apply to recover the benefit of the crime. It is therefore essential that you are represented by a solicitor who is not only experienced in drug cases but who has an expertise and understanding in the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002. This legislation is designed to prevent individuals from benefiting from criminal activity, and enables authorities to recover funds or assets related to drug offences.
At Tyler Hoffman, our drug defence lawyers are experts in POCA confiscation proceedings and have a proven track record of success. We can represent your interests and prevent assets or funds that are unrelated to illegal drugs from being seized or confiscated unfairly. We offer free initial advice to all clients, so please contact us to arrange a confidential one-to-one consultation with one of our solicitors today.
If you’re facing a drug-related charge and need expert legal support, get in touch with Tyler Hoffman for clear, reliable advice. Call our 24/7 law firm on 03300 536786 for a confidential initial consultation, or fill out the contact form on this page - we aim to respond within 2 hours and can arrange a callback at a time that suits you.
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