Heroin, the man-made derivative of morphine, takes up a pretty big part of the illicit drug market. It is one of the most dangerous drugs, as it is hard to avoid overdoses, due to the lack of ability to detect the purity of the drug. Because of this, heroin is a Schedule I drug, and thus there are very severe penalties for the use and sale of such illegal substance.
Heroin drug crimes may be classified either on a state or federal level, depending on the nature of the predicaments encompassing the offense. Simple possession charges typically will be given to the state, but trafficking charges will raise the case to the federal court. Other factors like the suspect’s criminal history, and where the crime took place are also crucial, whether in close proximity of a school, public park, church, or residence, and, of course, the quantity of drug involved. Although state laws differ, most of them subscribe to the Uniform Narcotics Act which make a heroin conviction a criminal offense.
Heroin Crime Penalties
If you are convicted of possessing heroin under the state of New Mexico, you will face a fourth degree felony charge and be expected to pay fines of up to $5,000 and 18 months imprisonment.
Heroin Defense Lawyer
Though the stakes are high, it is entirely possible to fight and win a heroin drug charge, and lots of times the winning verdict lies in the chances that your rights were violated at the instance you were caught or searched. There also could be other law enforcement errors that could help in suppressing the proof against you. Keep in mind that though New Mexico does not have near the prevalence of heroin use as, say, marijuana or methamphetamine use, it will not prevent the courts from bringing down severe penalties on a suspect to help prevent an uprising. Have a defense lawyer or attorney who can help you attain a just result through strong legal representation and fighting with you every step of the way.
