Federal and state laws recently bumped hydrocodone, also known by the brand name Vicodin, up to a Schedule II drug. This means that (1) the possession and sale of this drug without a prescription is illegal, and (2) you could face increased penalties for it. Vicodin possession is a felony offense unless you have a valid prescription for the drug. This means you will have a felony on your permanent record if convicted, and could spend time in jail, have a hard time renting an apartment, and even lose your job.
There is no reason to try to go it alone if you face accusations of possessing hydrocodone in Ohio. A possession of Vicodin (hydrocodone) defense lawyer in Cincinnati, OH from The Law Offices of Steven R. Adams, LLC will walk with you through this process, fighting to protect your rights and clear your name. We can build a solid defense strategy, and work to minimize the effect your arrest has on your future. Call our Cincinnati office today at 513-929-9333 to learn more.
How Serious Are Possession of Vicodin Charges in Cincinnati?
There is an opioid crisis facing Ohio and many other parts of the country. Usage rates went through the roof, and dozens die each year from overdoses. The state and federal government recently increased penalties associated with possessing and trafficking hydrocodone and other similar opioid painkillers.
Today, getting caught with these pills is a serious threat to your freedom, as you may serve jail time for a conviction. Ohio does not treat possession charges as seriously as trafficking charges, but there are still major consequences associated with a conviction.
If the court convicts you of Vicodin possession, you will likely receive:
- Significant fines
- Jail time
- Mandatory drug treatment counseling
- Community service
- Probation (community control) with strict conditions
- Loss of some professional licenses
- A felony criminal record
How much jail time and how large of fines depends largely on how much Vicodin you had on you, and the other circumstances of the case. In general, they will grade your felony charge more severely if you have larger quantities of hydrocodone at the time of your arrest or if you have any previous drug-related busts.
In general, per Ohio Revised Code § 2925.11, possessing only a small amount of Vicodin for personal use is a fifth-degree felony. If they convict you, you could face six months to a year in jail and a fine of as much as $2,500. To show how quickly this can escalate, having an amount high enough to sell could be a first-degree felony and call for a $20,000 fine.
No one wants to go to jail, but it is a real possibility after a conviction for Vicodin possession. We can often obtain community control (probation) instead of jail time, especially if this is your first offense. However, if you had larger amounts of hydrocodone, there is a mandatory minimum jail sentence required.
How Can I Win My Vicodin Possession Case in Cincinnati?
Our goal is to always get the best outcome possible for our clients. We will work hard to fight the possession charges against you. However, what a “win” looks like can vary depending on the circumstances of your case, the situation that led to your arrest, the strength of the case against you, and your individual preferences.
While we cannot guarantee a “win” in your case, we will fight aggressively to beat the charges against you. We will create a defense strategy that could:
- Reduce your jail time
- Avoid jail altogether in lieu of a lesser punishment
- Prevent you from getting a conviction in the first place
Each case differs significantly, and each has its own unique facts. The best outcome for your case might not be favorable at all in another. To this end, some of the ways we can “win” your case include:
- Providing compelling evidence that convinces the prosecution to drop the charges entirely
- Convincing the judge to bar certain evidence obtained during an illegal traffic stop, illegal search, or improperly conducted testing
- Negotiating a plea deal that reduces the charges against you to a misdemeanor or another option that does not include jail time
- Representing you in court and presenting our case, creating reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors
How Can an Attorney Help Me Win in a Vicodin Possession Criminal Trial?
When it comes to drug charges in Ohio, prosecutors do not have to prove a lot to get a conviction. If they can show you had the pills in your possession and that you knew they were Vicodin or another illegal substance, they can get their conviction. The judge instructs the jurors to focus only on these two factors, and to convict if they have no reasonable doubt.
It is our job to counter any evidence presented by the prosecutors, fighting to create that reasonable doubt. This may include presenting evidence to show:
- You have a valid prescription for Vicodin for chronic pain or another medical need.
- The hydrocodone belonged to someone else.
- The police have you confused with another person who uses Vicodin.
- You were not aware the pills were hydrocodone or another illegal drug.
- Police illegally pulled you over or searched you without cause.
How Can I Talk to a Possession of Vicodin (Hydrocodone) Defense Lawyer in Cincinnati, OH?
If you are facing a criminal investigation or charges, you need an experienced drug crimes attorney. Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer Steven R. Adams and the criminal defense team from the Law Offices of Steven R. Adams, LLC will work hard to help you protect your freedom and future. We will aggressively fight the allegations against you with a solid defense strategy.
Are You Looking for a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cincinnati, OH?
If you are facing criminal charges, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Cincinnati office directly at 513-929-9333 to schedule your free consultation.