Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that is derived from the coca plant native to South America. The drug affects the central nervous system, providing heightened energy and intense euphoria, making it one of the more popular controlled substances for personal use.

What Are the Penalties for Cocaine Offenses in Louisiana?

Louisiana's legal system has severe penalties for even a first conviction of simple possession of cocaine. Penalties for cocaine offenses will vary depending on the amount of the controlled substance that’s seized by police officers.

Baton Rouge Cocaine Possession Lawyer

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In a large city like Baton Rouge, drug-related criminal offenses are a recurrent issue. Each state has different laws and penalties regarding cocaine possession, cocaine distribution, cocaine trafficking, and paraphernalia. Louisiana specifically has serious penalties lined up for those charged with cocaine possession. That’s why hiring a Baton Rouge criminal defense lawyer for cocaine charges in Louisiana is crucial when it comes to avoiding jail time and a permanently tainted criminal record.

If you’ve been arrested for cocaine possession charge in Louisiana, it’s time to utilize your Miranda Rights and hire an experienced lawyer. At the Law Offices of Ossie Brown, our experienced drug crime lawyers will aggressively defend and represent you in a court of law so that you can receive the best possible case outcome.

Contact a Baton Rouge criminal defense lawyer at 225-343-1111 to schedule a free consultation today.

Is Cocaine a Schedule II Drug?

Cocaine is categorized as a Schedule II drug in the U.S. This classification indicates that while it has a recognized medical use, it also has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Schedule II status mandates strict regulations and severe criminal penalties for unauthorized production, sale, trafficking, or possession of cocaine.

Cocaine vs. Crack Cocaine

While both cocaine and crack originate from the coca plant and contain the same primary psychoactive ingredient, their forms, methods of consumption, and societal perceptions differ significantly. Cocaine is commonly found as a white, powdery substance and is typically ingested through snorting. Crack, on the other hand, is a crystallized version of cocaine that has been processed with baking soda or ammonia and water, resulting in a rock-like form that is usually smoked. Societally, crack has often been associated with more severe stigmatization and historically has carried heavier legal penalties than powder form, despite their pharmacological similarities. The disparities in perception and legal consequences between the two have been subjects of contention and debate, often highlighting broader issues of social justice and inequality over the past several decades.

Common Street Names for Cocaine

With the clandestine nature of drug dealings, numerous street names have emerged for powder cocaine. Some of these include:

Blow
Snow
Coke
Rock (specifically for crack cocaine)
Charlie
Nose candy
Soda cot
Snow

What are the Mandatory Minimums for Possession of Drugs in Louisiana?

Louisiana’s legal system has harsh penalties for even a first conviction of simple possession of cocaine. Penalties for cocaine possession will vary depending on the amount of the controlled substance that’s seized by police officers.

Charges for Possession of Coke in Louisiana

In Louisiana, cocaine possession can lead to felony possession charges. For those facing cocaine possession charges of less than 28 grams, a conviction can bring up to 5 years of jail time and a hefty fines of up to $5,000.

28 to 200 grams of cocaine possession is a felony drug offense. A felony conviction for possession of cocaine can lead to a 10 to 60-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $150,000.

200 to 400 grams of cocaine is a felony drug offense. A felony conviction can lead to 20 to 60 years in prison, hard labor, and a maximum fine of $350,000. The accused will not have the benefit of probation, parole, or the diversionary program.

Finally, possession of more than 400 grams (also a felony) is punishable by 30 to 60 years in prison, hard labor, and a maximum fine of $600,000. People accused and convicted of cocaine possession in drug court will not have the benefit of probation, community service, parole, or the diversionary program.

A Baton Rouge drug possession attorney can help you achieve the best case outcome possible.

Drug Charges for Cocaine Distribution or Sale

The sale or distribution of cocaine has penalties that also vary based on the quantity involved. Prison time can range anywhere from 5 to 30 years in prison with hard labor. Offenders can also face harsh fines of up to $500,000.

Having a large possession of cocaine can also lead to charges of intent to distribute. Additionally, if the offender is above the age of 25 and possesses cocaine with the intent to distribute cocaine to a minor, the maximum sentence, if found guilty in drug court, is life inprisonment.

Be sure to contact a Baton Rouge drug distribution attorney so that your legal rights are protected.

Drug Charges for Cocaine Trafficking

This is among the most severe indictable offenses in the United States. Cocaine trafficking, which usually involves significant quantities of cocaine possession and can cross state or international borders, can result in decades-long imprisonment, life sentences in extreme cases, and fines that can financially cripple an individual or organization.

Specific sentences and fines will depend on the weight trafficked. If you’re facing these types of drug charges, it’s crucial to arm yourself with proper legal representation from a Baton Rouge drug trafficking attorney.

Why You Need a Baton Rouge Drug Crime Lawyer for Cocaine Possession Charges

When faced with a cocaine possession charge in Baton Rouge, the need for a experienced Baton Rouge cocaine possession lawyer cannot be overstated. Being charged with cocaine possession is a serious matter that carries potentially severe consequences. An experienced lawyer in drug crimes is crucial to navigate the complex legal system and work towards getting the charges dropped or reduced.

Our Baton Rouge cocaine possession lawyers are adept at scrutinizing the evidence against you, often finding ways to introduce reasonable doubt regarding cocaine found by police during a traffic stop, for example. Did the police officer have reasonable suspicion to pull you over in the first place?

The expertise of every Baton Rouge cocaine possession lawyer at our firm is in their ability to vigorously defend their clients, utilizing deep knowledge of state laws and precedents. This is particularly vital for first-time offenders, who might be unaware of the intricacies involved in cases of cocaine use and possession.

A qualified Baton Rouge cocaine possession lawyer will not only aim to protect your rights but also seek the best possible outcome in a challenging situation.

How Do You Beat a Possession Charge in Louisiana?

An experienced attorney may not be able to clear your criminal record completely, but they can formulate the strongest defense strategy that can reduce your criminal charges, prison sentence, and fine. A criminal defense attorney may also be able to create a plea agreement, which can be the secret to drastically reducing or avoiding jail time altogether.

If you’re facing charges for cocaine or crack possession, our experienced attorneys may be able to use the following defense strategies in your favor.

Miranda Rights Violations

If law enforcement fails to inform an individual of their Miranda Rights upon arrest for drug possession, any statement or confession made by the arrested party can be considered inadmissible in court.

Illegal Search and Seizure

In cases involving cocaine offenses, if the police act outside these constitutional boundaries—such as searching a vehicle without probable cause or entering a home without a warrant—the evidence obtained during that search, be it cocaine or related drug paraphernalia, can be deemed inadmissible in court.

Lack of Knowledge

In criminal law, intent and knowledge play critical roles in determining culpability. For cocaine offenses, the “lack of knowledge” defense hinges on the premise that the defendant was unaware of the presence or nature of the substance in question.

Entrapment

Entrapment: What is entrapment? Entrapment is a defense that emerges from the law stating that individuals cannot be enticed by law enforcement officers into committing crimes they wouldn’t otherwise commit. In order for this defense to work, it’s crucial for the attorney to distinguish between entrapment and situations where officers merely provide an opportunity for a crime to occur.

Incorrect Drug Lab Analysis

The precise identification of substances is paramount in drug offense cases. When an individual is charged with a cocaine offense, the substance in question must be definitively tested and confirmed as cocaine. However, labs can make mistakes, and procedures might not always be meticulously followed.

Call Baton Rouge Cocaine Possession Attorney, Ossie Brown

If you’re facing felony drug charges in Louisiana due to cocaine, crack, fentanyl, methamphetamine, or even marijuana possession, you have the right to hire strong legal representation. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Ossie Brown have decades of combined experience defending Louisianans from a variety of drug crimes. You can rest assured that we will fight for your legal rights and help you obtain the best possible case outcome.

Call 225-343-1111 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team today.

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