Drug Crimes
Massachusetts Drug Trafficking Attorney
Massachusetts drug crimes can carry mandatory minimums for many drug trafficking charges. Boston drug trafficking lawyer Jeff Chapdelaine has more than a decade of experience in fighting such charges.
Heroin (Class A)
Sale of 15 to 28 grams (under an ounce): Mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison (15 years maximum).
Sale of 28 to 100 grams: Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison (20 years maximum).
Sale of 100 to 200 grams: Mandatory minimum of 10 years (20 years maximum).
Sale of 200 grams or more: Mandatory minimum of 15 years (20 years maximum).
Cocaine (Class B)
Sale of 14 to 28 grams: Mandatory minimum 3 years in prison (20 years maximum).
Sale of 28 to 100 grams: Mandatory minimum 5 years (20 year maximum).
Sale of 100 to 200 grams: Mandatory minimum 10 years (20 years maximum).
Sale of more than 200 grams: Mandatory minimum of 15 years (20 years maximum).
Marijuana (Class D)
Sale of 50 to 100 pounds: Mandatory minimum 1 year in prison (15 years maximum).
Sale of 100 to 2,000 pounds: Mandatory minimum of 3 years (15 years maximum).
Sale of 2,000 to 10,000 pounds: Mandatory minimum of 5 years (15 years maximum).
Sale of more than 10,000 pounds: Mandatory minimum of 10 years (15 years maximum).
Boston criminal defense attorney Jeff Chapdelaine handles cases for clients accused of drug crimes throughout Massachusetts.
Twenty percent of Massachusetts inmates are behind bars for drug crimes – another 20 percent are in jail for property crimes committed to support a drug habit, according to a 2009 report by the Massachusetts Bar Association.
Those two categories alone mean 2 of every 5 state inmates – or almost half – are in jail because of a drug-related crime.
As a Boston drug trafficking lawyer, Jeffrey Chapdelaine puts more than a decade of experience to work for clients facing drug charges, including Massachusetts minimum mandatory sentences.
The Bar Association report urged reform of mandatory minimum sentencing laws for nonviolent offenders but so far the state has turned a deaf ear, despite the estimated $25 million annual cost of punishment over treatment.
The report found mandatory minimum sentences have had no impact on drug use and many 15-year mandatory minimums cost the state an average of $700,000 each. Three out of every four mandatory minimum offenders belong to a racial minority.
The state’s laws have increased the prison population 368 percent since 1980, local jail populations by 522 percent. Currently more than 25,000 people are behind bars in Massachusetts for drug crimes.
Even for first-time offenders, drug crimes can be very serious cases. Boston drug trafficking attorney Jeff Chapdelaine can help protect your rights even if you are being offered probation, which can lead to long stretches of reporting and serious jail time for probation violations.
The truth is large numbers of drug cases resulting in probation quickly lead to incarceration of the accused for minor probation violations like change of address, associating with the wrong people (even relatives), employment issues or missing a probation appointment. Having the assistance of an experienced Boston drug crimes attorney can make a big difference.
Boston drug crimes handled by attorney Jeff Chapdelaine include drug possession, drug manufacturing, drug distribution, drug trafficking and drug possession with intent to distribute.
Additionally, drug crime defendants can face enhanced punishment depending on the amount of drugs involved, prior criminal record, sales to minors or whether the drugs were sold on or near school property or a park.
Possible punishment for convicted offenders includes prison time, fines, mandatory drug rehabilitation programs, probation, and drug offender registration and community service.
Drug cases can be attacked on a number of levels – at the investigative level, details of the alleged sale, accuracy of the alleged weight, location of sale (proximity to school, park, etc.) and other factors can be attacked. In court, motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, intensive discovery motions, well tailored plea negotiations and other tools can make a real difference in your case.
Massachusetts drug trafficking lawyer Jeff Chapdelaine takes the time to learn the circumstances of each client and the evidence available in each case to fight for the best outcome possible for his clients.
If you have been accused of a drug crime in Massachusetts, call Boston criminal defense lawyer Jeffrey R. Chapdelaine at 617-262-1800 for a free appointment to discuss your case.