Similar to selling alcohol to a minor, but with harsher penalties, if you are charged with selling drugs to a minor in Arizona, you face multiple legal charges. Contributing to the dependency or delinquency of a child or contributory dependency may be added on to drug possession charges.
At Matthew Lopez Law, PLLC, we aggressively represent adults who are facing charges involving minors. In many cases, prosecutors add on charges of selling to a minor, even if the adult had no intent to involve the youth, but the minor was present in the building or area.
We will investigate the police investigation and work hard to make sure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
The Difference Between Drug Possession And Selling Drugs To A Minor
Many drug possession offenses in Arizona are charged as a misdemeanor (depending on amount in possession or a Class B felony. However, selling drugs to a minor may be charged as a Class A felony, resulting in significantly harsher penalties if convicted.
Defending Contributory Dependency Charges
It is critical to investigate and develop a successful defense strategy against these serious charges involving minors. In many cases, even when there is no past criminal record, prosecutors throughout Arizona press hard for a conviction.
Some of the successful defense strategies we apply include:
- Determining that the drug was not actually a controlled narcotic under local and state laws
- Demonstrating that there was no actual intent to sell or distribute the illegal drug to the minor
- Police entrapment, illegal wiretapping, staging a drug purchase using a minor
- Unconstitutional search and seizure
- Case dismissed for lack of evidence that illegal drugs or a minor was involved
You Are Not Alone
Get the help you need when facing serious drug-related charges. Call [Matthew Lopez Law at 480-608-9998 or contact us by email right away.