Serious Drug Offender

Arizona takes a serious stance against drug crimes, as is evident in the serious penalties that offenders face. For those that have a continued pattern of drug related offenses, Arizona law outlines that they can be charged as serious drug offender. This is an extremely serious crime, with decades of prison time at stake. If you have been arrested as a serious drug offender, it is imperative that you seek skilled legal counsel to help you fight this accusation.

Mesa Serious Drug Offender Defense Attorney

With nearly 15 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney in Arizona, James Novak knows how to aggressively fight these serious allegations. He is prefpared to analyze the details of your situation and formulate a unique defense for your case. James Novak and his legal team can fight to reduce your charges, dismiss them, or seek out a not-guilty verdict. An arrest as a serious drug offender does not guarantee a conviction, and the Law Office of James E. Novak is not afraid to take on challenging cases.

The Law Office of James E. Novak has defended hundreds of clients facing drug charges throughout Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and the surrounding areas of Arizona. He has the knowledge and skill to handle your case and minimize your stress. Call the Law Office of James E. Novak today at (480) 413-1499 to schedule your free consultation and begin defending your future.


Definition of a Serious Drug Offender in Arizona

According to Arizona Statute 13-3410, a serious drug offender is defined as a person who is older than 18 or who is being tried as an adult who is accused of a serious drug offense, and this offense is part of an ongoing pattern. The offenses that are considered serious crimes include:

  • Possessing marijuana with intent to sell
  • Growing marijuana
  • Trafficking marijuana
  • Producing or selling dangerous drugs, as defined by statute 13-3407
  • Knowingly selling a drug to a minor or using a minor in a drug transaction

If the individual made at least $25,000 dollars from drugs in the course of a year, that is considered a "significant source of income" and can be used as ground for conviction as a serious drug offender. In addition, this can be applied if the accused was part of an "enterprise", meaning a network of drug dealers. The court must establish if the individual's crimes warrant the title of a serious offender, so there is some room for interpretation.

If the offender is convicted of this charge, they will be sentenced to life imprisonment, with no chance of probation or other pardons until they have served at least 25 years in prison. This long-term prison sentence means that you need an attorney to help you avoid a conviction.


The Law Office of James E. Novak | Tempe Serious Drug Offender Lawyer

If you are facing a charge as a serious drug offender, it is important that a skilled lawyer helps you form a defense as soon as possible. With at least 25 years of your life at stake, you need customized defense for your situation and an attorney who will fight aggressively for your freedom. the Law Office of James E. Novak has helped clients throughout Arizona, in cities likes Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, East Valley and surrounding areas fight their criminal charges. Call (480) 413-1499 today to schedule your free consultation with our legal team.

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