If you are charged with a drug offense, you face serious consequences which could include loss of your license and mandatory minimum periods of incarceration. You may also face enhanced penalties for offenses that are alleged to have occurred in a school zone. I have successfully represented clients charged with major drug offenses (such as trafficking or distribution) to minor offenses (such as simple possession).

When you retain me as your attorney, I will review every aspect of the charges against you. We will explore every potential defense available to you. I have had considerable success in challenging the issuance of search warrants, the execution of search warrants, the use of so-called confidential informants, challenging whether there was probable cause to stop or detain persons, challenging whether there was probable cause to stop a vehicle, and challenging whether there is probable cause to arrest a person based on mere presence in a vehicle or at a location.

We will go over all of the details of your case. I will give you my opinion, based on my considerable experience, on the defenses available to you.

When you are faced with a decision about whether to take your case to trial or to try to negotiate a plea, I will use my vast experience to explain all of the options available to you so you can make the most informed decision possible for your case.

REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLE (RMV) REVOCATION PERIODS

The RMV is required to revoke your learner's permit, license, or right to operate for any illegal drug conviction as mandated by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94C. Revocation periods vary between 1 and 5 years, depending on the violation.

OFFENSES WITH ONE YEAR REVOCATION PERIODS

• Dispensing controlled substances
• Research projects
• Prescription violations
• Practitioner violations
• Possession of hypodermic needle/syringe
• Sale of counterfeit substances
• Sale of drug paraphernalia
• Illegal possession of Class A, B, C, D or E substances
• Being present where heroin is kept

OFFENSES WITH A TWO YEAR REVOCATION PERIOD

• Possession of Class D or E substance with intent to distribute
• Sale of drug paraphernalia to minors
• Using false registration number
• Uttering a false prescription
• Larceny of a controlled substance

OFFENSE WITH A THREE YEAR REVOCATION PERIOD

• Possession of Class A, B, C substance with intent to distribute
• Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
• 2nd & subsequent conviction of Class D or Class E substance with intent to distribute

OFFENSES WITH A FOUR YEAR REVOCATION PERIOD

• 2nd & subsequent conviction of Class B or Class C substance with intent to distribute
• 2nd & subsequent conviction of cocaine with intent to distribute

OFFENSE WITH A FIVE YEAR REVOCATION PERIOD

• Trafficking, manufacturing, distributing or dispensing Class A, Class B, Class C substances
• Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing Class A, B, or C substances to minors
• Inducing a minor to sell controlled substances
• Possession within 300 feet of a school

NOTE: EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2, 2009 POSSESSION OF LESS THAN ONE OUNCE OF MARIJUANA IS NO LONGER A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE OFFENSE WILL BE TREATED AS A MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE VIOLATION AND WILL NOT BE REPORTED TO THE RMV. ANY ASSESSED FINES MUST BE PAID TO THE CITY OR TOWN WHERE THE OFFENSE OCCURRED.