All illegal drugs can lead to serious penalties in Maryland. Cocaine isn’t an exception to that. In fact, cocaine charges come with some very serious penalties that can include incarceration, fines, and other punishments if you are convicted.
Cocaine trafficking is one of the more serious cocaine charges in Maryland. If you are considered a drug kingpin, you are facing 20 to 40 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.
There is a tiered system in place for charges related to selling cocaine. If it is your first conviction, you are facing 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. If you are accused of selling 448 grams of cocaine, your sentence upon a conviction is a minimum of 40 years. If the drug was crack in an amount greater than 50 grams, you face a minimum of 40 years in prison. Subsequent convictions mean that you face double penalties. On a third conviction, you face a minimum of 40 years in prison. There are also enhancements if you sell near a school or to a minor.
The possession of cocaine is sometimes a misdemeanor, but that charge comes with an incarceration period of up to 4 years. Subsequent convictions mean you face a double penalty. If you are in possession of 28 grams or more and are found to have brought it into the state, you face up to 25 years in prison.
Knowing these penalties means that you can probably see how important it is to have a defense prepared if you to trial. A defense is likely going to be your only chance to attempt to keep penalties to a minimum.
Source: FindLaw, “Maryland Cocaine Laws,” accessed May 20, 2016
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