Ottawa Drug Charge Lawyer
Canada takes drug crimes seriously. Most drug charges carry a minimum sentence and, if you are convicted, you could face jail time. Further, drug crimes carry a stigma. As a result of a conviction, you may have trouble finding future employment or pursuing other educational or professional opportunities.
However, regardless of the charges against you, an experienced defence lawyer can safeguard your rights and help you build a strong defence.
At David Anber’s Law Office, we have extensive experience defending Ottawa clients accused of a wide range of drug crimes, including:
- Drug possession
- Drug trafficking
- Drug production
These are all serious offences and the penalties you face vary based on the type of drug, the amount, and your criminal history. And depending on the details of your case, you could be charged with multiple offences.
However, it is the Crown’s job to prove your guilt and with the right legal team on your side, this is no easy task. Our lawyers can fight for you at every turn — from representing you in court, to helping you file an appeal if necessary. For information about our services, or to schedule a free, initial consultation with one of our defence lawyers, call 1-888-989-3946 or contact us online.
What is a drug charge?
In Canada, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) sets forth the regulations and penalties for drug offences. Whether you are in Ottawa or Quebec, a drug charge is a criminal offence involving the possession, production or trafficking of controlled substances and illegal drugs. To deter others from committing drug crimes, the Crown often imposes harsh penalties on offenders.
The Cannabis Act is a federal law created to accompany CDSA. It establishes a legal framework for adult cannabis use while protecting minors and the general public. The Cannabis Control Act established in 2017 is a provincial law that regulates adult use of cannabis. It regulates the sale, use, and distribution of cannabis.
Types of drug charges
The two most common drug charges in Canada are possession and trafficking. Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, you can even be charged with a drug crime for possession of prescription drugs. In places like the United States, “drug trafficking” refers to the act of transporting illegal drugs across state lines. In Canada, however, police may arrest you for this crime if you knowingly possess illegal drugs with the intent of selling, administering, giving, transferring, transporting, sending, or delivering them. No matter if you are charged with possession or trafficking, the penalties you face are life-changing, and you need immediate legal help.
Drug possession
If you are arrested for drug possession, depending on your case, you may face a mandatory prison sentence. Additionally, if convicted you will have a criminal record. Our lawyers understand the urgency of your situation.
Relying on our vast criminal defence experience, we routinely help clients fight a range of drug possession charges, including those related to:
- Schedule I —Heroin, cocaine, codeine, morphine, opium, GHB (“date rape” drug)
- Schedule II — Cannabis, cannabis resin and marijuana
- Schedule III — Magic mushrooms, LSD
- Schedule IV — Barbiturates (clonazepam, diazepam, Amytal, Nembutal, etc.)
- Schedule V — Propylhexedrine and any salt derived from it
- Schedule VI — ephedrine; lysergic acid; norephedrine; pseudoephedrine, or any other substances used to produce other drugs.
Penalties
- Schedule I drugs — Up to seven years in jail, three years of probation; and/or thousands of dollars in fines
- Schedule III — Up to three years in jail, three years of probation; and/or thousands of dollars in fines
- Over 30 grams of marijuana or one gram of cannabis resin — Up to five years in jail, three years of probation and/or thousands of dollars
Drug crimes are no joke. Without a competent defence lawyer by your side, you could face severe penalties. Our experienced legal team can help you navigate the common pitfalls of the Canadian criminal justice system.
Drug trafficking
Drug trafficking is one of the most serious, non-violent crimes in Ottawa. If you are charged with this offence, however, do not lose hope. Our legal team can quickly review your case, ensure your rights are protected, and help you mount a strategic defense. Police may arrest you for drug trafficking for the following drug-related behaviors:
- Transporting
- Delivering
- Giving
- Sending
- Administering
- Selling
- Transferring
Drug trafficking cases are particularly difficult because the Crown is not required to prove that you had an actual drug (you merely need to present a substance as an illegal drug) or that you made any profit as a result of trafficking the substance in question.
Drug production
The government does not want people manufacturing illegal substances. To deter the public from engaging in this behavior, harsh penalties are imposed, ranging from three years to life imprisonment.
Below are some examples of activities that are considered “drug production”:
- Harvesting
- Manufacturing
- Cultivating or growing
- Synthesizing
- Using any means to change the physical or chemical qualities of a substance
Drug production cases are highly complex; the Crown must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We are experienced in fighting drug production cases and will work to identify and exploit any mistakes or weaknesses made by the prosecution.
Legal consequences
If you are convicted of drug possession in Ottawa, the penalties you face vary from a discharge, fine, and probation to jail time. The determining factors are: your criminal history, the drug, and the quantity of the drug in question. If you are caught with minor possession and it is your first charge, you have a good chance of having a reduced or dismissed charge. For more serious offences such as drug trafficking, we will work judiciously to create a sound defense that protects your rights and future.
Contact experienced Ottawa drug crime lawyers
When a drug crime arrest threatens everything, David Anber’s Law Office is here to defend your freedom and reputation. Whether police arrest you for simple possession of cocaine, trafficking heroin or the production of methamphetamine, our legal team is ready to fight for you. To schedule a free consultation to speak with one of our experienced drug crime defence lawyers, 1-888-989-3946 or contact us online.