Seattle Possession Attorney | Russell & Hill Law Firm

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Posesión de drogas en Washington

Los delitos de drogas en Washington están regulados por la Ley Uniforme de Sustancias Controladas (RCW 69.50). Según la ley, es ilegal que una persona fabrique, distribuya o posea con la intención de fabricar o distribuir una sustancia controlada. Una sustancia controlada se define en la Ley como «una droga, sustancia o precursor inmediato incluido en las Listas I a V establecidas en las leyes federales o estatales, o en las normas federales o de la comisión, pero no incluye el cáñamo ni el cáñamo industrial».

La mayoría de los delitos relacionados con drogas se consideran delitos graves, desde los de clase C hasta los de clase A. Si se le acusa de posesión de cualquier droga, excepto marihuana, se le imputará un delito grave de clase C, independientemente de la cantidad. Las penas máximas por delitos graves relacionados con drogas son:

  • Delito grave de clase C: 5 años de cárcel; multa de $10,000
  • Delito grave de clase B: 10 años de cárcel; multa de $20,000
  • Delito grave de clase A: Cadena perpetua; multa de $50,0000

La marihuana ya es legal en el estado de Washington, pero existen límites a su legalización. La marihuana no es legal:

  • Para cualquier persona menor de 21 años
  • Para crecer
  • Fumar o exhibirse en público
  • Para vender de forma privada
  • Para las personas de 21 años o más que posean más de una onza

Si lo atrapan con más de una onza pero menos de 40 gramos de marihuana, estará sujeto a enfrentar cargos por delito menor:

  • Hasta 90 días de cárcel y
  • Multas de hasta $1.000

Legislación reciente

La Corte Suprema de Washington anuló recientemente leyes anteriores, considerándolas inconstitucionales. La nueva ley reclasifica la posesión de sustancias controladas, como la cocaína, la heroína y la metanfetamina, como un delito menor; la misma clasificación que la posesión de más de una onza de marihuana, sujeta a los mismos cargos.

Esta nueva ley expirará en dos años y volverá a la ley actual. El gobernador de Washington, Jay Inslee, en un Informe de noticias de EE. UU., dice que la legislación mueve el sistema para centrarse en la respuesta de salud conductual y abordar con éxito las necesidades que subyacen al abuso de drogas.

Existen muchas alternativas al encarcelamiento disponibles en los tribunales del estado de Washington, entre ellas:

Cómo puede ayudarle un abogado especializado en posesión de drogas

Nos reuniremos con usted, analizaremos sus inquietudes y determinaremos sus objetivos para el resultado de su caso. Una vez que decidamos el curso de acción a seguir en su proceso legal, llevaremos su caso con profundo conocimiento y pericia.

Buscamos que se desestimen o reduzcan los cargos, independientemente de la clasificación.

Si ha sido acusado por posesión de drogas, comuníquese con nuestro Abogados de posesión de drogas en Seattle en Russell & Hill – Abogados de lesiones y accidentes, completando nuestro Formulario de evaluación de caso o llámanos al 800-529-0842.

Aspectos destacados clave

  • If you have been charged with possessing an illegal drug in Seattle we cannot emphasize enough that finding a Seattle possession attorney experienced with the legal system and process is critical to your case.
  • Russell & Hill Law Firm is a Seattle law firm dedicated to helping people with drug possession charges defend themselves against drug charges whether they are facing felony or misdemeanor charges throughout Seattle and King County on a daily basis. 
  • We represent clients accused of drug-related offenses including (but not limited to) possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, marijuana, and all other types of drug-related offenses. 
  • The attorneys at the Russell & Hill Law Firm have first-hand knowledge of the way the Seattle Municipal Court and the King County Superior Court handle drug cases. 
  •  Once retained we will have your trial-ready defense strategy in place at the time of hire.

Charged With Drug Possession in Seattle? Here’s What You Should Do First

If you have been placed under arrest and/or charged with a drug-related offense in Seattle, WA you have a lot to lose, and therefore immediate legal representation is of paramount importance. 

Matthew Russell is my name, and I represent people across Washington State accused of drug offences. I represent individuals who have cocaine possession charges, marijuana possession issues, prescription drug cases, and the like, as well as possession of other controlled substances. 

En Bufete de abogados Russell & Hill, we look at every drug possession case like it is our first case. The first thing we do is investigate all of the ways the police could have legally stop (or search you). We also challenge all unlawful (illegal) searches. 

Why Hire a Seattle Drug Possession Attorney Instead of Handling It Alone?

A lot of people think that a possession charge is “minor”. It is not! Possession continues to be a crime under RCW 69.50.4013 even after the significant change to Washington’s new drug laws. RCW 69.50.4013 was amended in order to reclassify simple possession as a gross misdemeanor by the Legislature after the Washington State Supreme Court’s decision in State v. Blake (2021).  This means:

  • Up to 364 days in jail
  • Multas
  • Mandatory court terms and conditions
  • Libertad condicional
  • Requirement for drug treatment

A skilled drug possession lawyer will know how to work through the evolving statutes and how the King County prosecutor views these cases. Prosecutors build their case using police reports, lab reports and witnesses. Your defense attorney builds your case through constitutional protections, evidentiary challenges. and strategic leverage.

What’s Really at Stake Under Washington Drug Law?

A possession conviction in Seattle can result in:

  • Tiempo en la cárcel
  • Court-ordered treatment
  • Thousands of dollars in fines
  • Permanent criminal record
  • Difficulties with finding a job
  • Denial of housing
  • Negative immigration impact
  • Loss of professional license

If jail time is avoided, the conviction remains on your record until it is resolved or vacated appropriately. You must hire a drug possession defense attorney when accused as it is protection.

How Have Seattle and Washington Drug Laws Changed?

In recent years, the way Seattle handles drug issues has changed quite a lot.

El Governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, signed a bill creating a temporary decriminalization of certain possession charges after the state Supreme Court made their ruling (the Blake ruling). The result was a state of confusion about which drug possession cases were criminal charges and which cases were not, while the new laws were being developed by lawmakers.

During 2023, new legislation has resulted in drug possession being criminalized again as a gross misdemeanor and usually required to have a diversion offer made to the accused person before they can be charged. Depending on the individual circumstances and criminal history of the individual, Seattle prosecutors may offer either diversion or treatment option(s) to help resolve their case without a conviction.

It is important to be aware of the changes to Washington’s drug possession law, how those changes apply to Seattle and King County, and that each case is handled differently from another case.

Searching for a Drug Possession Lawyer Near Me in Seattle?

If you did an online search using one of these terms: 

  • drug possession lawyer near me
  • drug possession attorney Seattle
  • Abogado de posesión de drogas en Seattle
  • lawyer for possession of drugs
  • Seattle drug crime lawyer
  • best drug possession attorney

You are not alone.

When people are accused of drug-related offenses, they are often looking for a Seattle attorney who understands:

  • Local judge in King County
  • Local prosecuting attorney
  • Policies regarding diversion programs
  • Eligibility for participating in drug court
  • Typical plea negotiations

Russell & Hill Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of clients all over Washington and knows how drug possession cases are generally handled in the courts, but not only in theory.

What Types of Possession Charges Do We Defend in Seattle?

We provide legal representation for all types of charges related to drug possession, including, but not limited to:

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Under Washington Revised Code (RCW) 69.50, examples of controlled substances include heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and prescription medications when there is no valid prescription.

Cocaine Possession Charges

An attorney who specializes in cocaine possession will assess the appropriateness of the drug test performed on the cocaine as well as whether it can be proven that possession exists.

Marijuana Possession Issues

The recreational use of marijuana is legal for individuals 21 years of age and older in Washington State; however, if an individual possesses marijuana over the legal limit or distributes marijuana without a license, it is still possible for the individual to be charged with a crime. An attorney who specializes in marijuana cases will also handle these types of cases with caution.

Posesión con intención de entregar

Possession with intent to deliver can be treated as a felony and will depend upon the strength of the evidence available.

Types of Possession Explained

Proving possession is often more complex than police reports suggest.

Type of Possession Meaning Example
Actual Possession Drugs found on your person In a pocket
Constructive Possession Control over area where drugs found In your vehicle
Joint Possession Shared control with another person Shared apartment

How to Beat a Possession Charge?

A lot of people ask this question. There is not one answer to this question, as there are many variables that must be taken into consideration; however, the most common defenses to possession of drugs include:

  • unlawful traffic stop
  • unlawful search & seizure
  • lack of probable cause
  • unwitting possession
  • errors in testing
  • incomplete evidence of control

When evidence has been obtained through an unlawful search, that evidence will be excluded from trial. If there is no evidence to support the charge, the State cannot proceed against a defendant.

An experienced drug defense lawyer understands when to file a motion for suppression of evidence, as well as how to use suppression motions to strengthen their negotiations.

What Happens After a Drug Arrest in Seattle?

For those who are arrested for the first time, there are a lot of things to consider. Here’s an overview of what usually happens after an arrest.

Booking and Release

When you’re booked into jail, there are a few possibilities for what will happen to you next:

  • booked into jail
  • released on your own recognizance
  • required to post bail

Arraignment

This is your first court appearance in Seattle Municipal Court or King County Superior Court, where you’ll enter your plea and receive conditions of the court.

Pre-Trial Process

During this process, you will engage in several activities such as:

  • Reviewing evidence 
  • Confirming lab results 
  • Filing motions to suppress evidence 
  • Negotiating settlements or plea bargains with prosecutors 
  • Preparing for your trial if your case goes to trial.

Although not every case will go to trial, all cases must be prepared for trial.

Case Study: Drug Possession Charge Reduced in Seattle, Washington

By a Criminal Defense Attorney at Russell & Hill Law Firm

An individual from Seattle was stopped by law enforcement for a infracción de tráfico and subsequently arrested after the officer found a small quantity of an illegal drug in the vehicle. The defendant was charged with possession of an illegal substance, which could lead to time spent in jail, possible probation, and a criminal record that would impact their ability to find employment.

Our team of attorneys at Russell & Hill Law Firm began to investigate and recover evidence to prepare for trial. In this case, we requested body camera video recordings, dash cam video recordings, and other pieces of evidence available to us through discovery to check for inconsistencies between what the officer said was the reason to conduct a “consent” search of the vehicle.

Russell & Hill Law Firm also drafted a motion to challenge the vehicle stop and the search of the vehicle based on the concept of constructive possession – essentially whether or not the State could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was in constructive possession of the illegal substance.

Result

Once the prosecution had reviewed the motion and challenged the prosecution’s evidence, they offered a significantly reduced offer to resolve the case short of a criminal conviction. The defendant avoided jail time and has saved their professional future.

Speak With a Seattle Possession Attorney Today

Russell & Hill Law Firm has provided quality legal counsel for individuals accused of crimes in Washington State since 1990. Our team has the skill and knowledge to protect your rights during the criminal process, including challenging illegal searches and weak evidence. If you are charged with drug possession (controlled substances), we will work diligently to get the best possible outcome for you.

To schedule a consulta gratuita with one of our criminal defense attorneys from Seattle, please call 800-529-0842.

Preguntas frecuentes

Can possession charges be dropped?

Charges can be dismissed if evidence is excluded due to suppression of evidence, if the State is unable to establish possession, or if you have fulfilled the conditions of your diversion program.

What are the three types of possession?

Possession can be established by either actual possession, constructive possession, or joint possession.

How much does an attorney charge for representing in court in Seattle?

At Russell & Hill Law Firm, we will discuss fees during the consultation process and are open and honest about your costs.

How much does an adverse possession claim cost?

Adverse possession is a matter of property law as opposed to criminal possession. If you are being charged with possession of a controlled substance, you need a criminal defense attorney, not an adverse possession attorney.

What is the best attorney to fight a possession charge?

The best attorney is one who has a lot of experience handling drug possession cases in King County, has an understanding of the changing laws in the state of Washington regarding drugs, and who prepares his or her clients for trial.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre casos de lesiones personales

¿Por qué mi abogado tarda tanto en resolver mi caso en Washington?
¿Quién paga las facturas médicas después de un accidente automovilístico si usted no tuvo la culpa?
¿Qué hacer después de un accidente automovilístico?
¿Cuánto cuesta contratar a un abogado de lesiones?
¿Qué debo hacer si la compañía de seguros me ofrece un acuerdo?
¿Mi caso irá a juicio?
¿Se puede demandar a Lyft por un accidente? Derechos legales en Washington
¿Cómo presentar un informe de accidente automovilístico en Everett?
¿Qué debo hacer inmediatamente después de una lesión?
¿Cuánto tiempo tengo para presentar una reclamación por lesiones?
Cómo evaluar si su situación califica para una reclamación por lesiones personales
¿Qué daños puedo obtener en un caso de lesiones?
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$550K

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$875K

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Muerte por negligencia

$300K

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Accidente automovilístico

$210K

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Resbalón y caída

$200K

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Accidente automovilístico

$180K

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