In Maryland, drug charges can carry very serious penalties that can have long term consequences on the lives of those charged if they are convicted. Depending on the type of drug that the individual is accused of possessing or selling, they may face hefty fines, lengthy prison sentences, and other significant reductions in their rights if they are convicted of their alleged crimes. In fact, a person does not even have to have drugs in their possession to face a drug crime in Maryland. They can be charged with the serious crime of drug paraphernalia possession.
What is drug paraphernalia?
Drug paraphernalia is not actual illegal drugs. Rather, it is the equipment or items a person might need to produce, manufacture, or use illegal drugs. Many different objects may be considered drug paraphernalia by law enforcement officials but may actually be legal items with no drug-related uses. When charged with a drug paraphernalia crime, an individual can seek legal help from a criminal defense attorney to sort out the mistaken identification of their property as drug paraphernalia.
How does Maryland punish drug paraphernalia crimes?
Maryland distinguishes drug paraphernalia into marijuana paraphernalia and non-marijuana paraphernalia. If a person is accused of possessing marijuana paraphernalia with an intent to use, they may face a fine of up to $500 and a sentence of jail time of up to one year.
Punishments for non-marijuana paraphernalia are significantly steeper. For this charge, an individual may face up to four years in jail and a fine of more than $25,000. As readers can see, drug paraphernalia charges are serious business with significant sentences attached to them.
Drug charges are serious. Drug paraphernalia charges are serious as well. When faced with criminal accusations related to drug possession, distribution, or use, Maryland residents may choose to hire trusted criminal defense attorneys to support their legal needs and to advocate for their rights.