Raleigh Drug Crime Lawyer

Drug Crime Attorney in Raleigh, NC

Drug crimes can carry heavy penalties in North Carolina, and you are likely feeling afraid of how this may impact your life and your freedom. State prosecutors typically work to obtain maximum sentences in these cases, and you need a Raleigh drug crime lawyer who is ready to take on your defense with just as much, if not more, gravitas.

North Carolina General Statutes concerning drugs are complicated, but there is hope. Whether you’ve been charged with drug trafficking along US Route 401 or marijuana possession in Lions Park, you deserve strong criminal defense from an experienced attorney who knows how to achieve the most positive outcome possible for your situation.

In fact, first-time drug offenders may qualify for deferred prosecution agreements or conditional discharge programs where they enter into a contract with the State or the judge to complete educational classes, community service, and/or payment of court costs in exchange for a dismissal of the charges. Your lawyer can assess your situation and determine which avenue may be most feasible to be negotiated with the District Attorney.

Hire a Trusted Drug Crime Lawyer

At Granados Law Group, we believe in strong advocacy and personalized defense strategies for all our clients. When you choose to work with our team on your drug crime case, we are ready to shoulder the legal burdens and do whatever is in our power to ensure your future is not harmed by a drug conviction. For years, we have fought for our clients’ rights and been successful in defending drug crime cases just like yours. We can turn our attention to you.

Drug Charges We Handle

In 2024 in North Carolina, 38.2% of criminal sentences were related to drug offenses. In Raleigh, drug crimes are not uncommon. In fact, the overall drug crime rate of the city is around 6.8 per 1,000 residents. The most common drug offenses that the team at Granados Law Group has defended against over the years include:

• Drug trafficking: When an individual seeks to sell or distribute illegal drugs or controlled substances, they may face charges of drug trafficking. You may also be charged with drug trafficking if you were found to have large quantities of drugs on your person or in your possession, even if you didn’t actually sell or distribute them. In fact, many people are surprised to find out how even a few prescription drug pills possessed illegally can add up to trafficking weights very quickly.
• Prescription drug fraud: This charge can include any unlawful sale, an attempt to obtain a prescription drug not prescribed lawfully at a drug store, or usage of prescription medications not lawfully prescribed. For all prescription drugs, only the individual who holds the prescription from a doctor or licensed medical provider is allowed to take the medication, and they are only allowed to do so in the manner in which it was prescribed. Anything outside of these parameters can be considered a drug crime, and you can be arrested.
• Possessing drug paraphernalia: If you possess any object or item that may be used to either sell, create, grow, or distribute an illegal drug or controlled substance is illegal in Raleigh, and you may find yourself facing serious charges. This can include scales, pipes, syringes, baggies, and other simple household items.
• Possession with the intent to distribute or sell: When an individual is charged with possession with the intent to distribute or sell, it is usually accompanied by harsher penalties than those involved in drug cases where the substances were only for personal use.You may also be charged with this crime even if a sale or distribution did not actually take place. Simply offering to do so is the commission of a crime. “Helping” a friend acquire some drugs by putting them in contact with someone who sells them the drugs is also illegal, whether or not you got any money for the introduction, because you’re acting as a middleman for an illegal transaction.
• Cultivating and manufacturing drugs: These charges can include any production or growth of illegal drugs, such as growing hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana plants, or running a meth lab. As this crime can affect more individuals than just yourself, the penalties involved are often quite severe.

If you are facing charges for any of these crimes, or any other related to the possession, sale, or manufacture of drugs or illegal substances, the team at Granados Law Group is ready to help. We can review your case, uncover necessary evidence, and ultimately create a defense strategy that can work to keep you safe from a successful conviction.

North Carolina Drug Schedules and Why They Matter

The state of North Carolina adheres to strict laws in order to fight against the rate of drug use, especially when it comes to the abuse of opioids. From 2000 to 2024, the number of North Carolina residents who have died as a result of a drug overdose exceeded 44,500. The North Carolina Division of Public Health estimates that an additional 2,731 North Carolina lives were lost in 2025.

In North Carolina, state law classifies all illegal drugs, otherwise known as controlled substances, into six separate categories based on acceptable medical use or their potential for dependence and abuse. Generally speaking, if a drug has a higher potential for abuse or dependence, the penalties one might face for a charge involving these substances can be much more severe. These classifications, or schedules, of drugs in North Carolina include:

• Schedule I: This classification includes drugs like heroin, GHB, ecstasy, and LSD. There is no acceptable medical use of these drugs, and they all pose an extremely high risk for dependency and abuse, making them the most serious controlled substances and most heavily penalized in the state.
• Schedule II: These drugs include OxyContin, opium, cocaine, and amphetamines. While these drugs may be accepted for certain medical uses, they come with a high risk for both abuse and dependency and are therefore strictly monitored and penalized if used outside of medical treatment.
• Schedule III: These drugs can include anabolic steroids, ketamine, and Vicodin. While these drugs do have quite a bit of medical usage, they may also cause dependency and abuse, making them illegal to use outside of prescription or medical treatment.
• Schedule IV: The most common drug in this class is Valium. Drugs classified as Schedule IV do have several medical uses and come with a much lower risk for abuse or dependency than medications named in Schedule III.
• Schedule V: This category often includes prescription drugs that contain narcotics, such as cough syrup with codeine. Both dependency and abuse are at a much lower risk for these drugs, but they can still be used illegally in certain situations.
• Schedule VI: Marijuana is the most common drug listed under Schedule VI.

Drug Crime Penalties

Potential penalties for a drug crime conviction vary greatly with the specifics of each case and the actual offense being charged. Penalties for possession are less severe than those for possession with the intent to distribute. Penalties also vary by the Schedule classification of the drug and the total amount in possession at the time of arrest.

Misdemeanor charges may result in fines and a few days to a few months in jail. Felony charges are more serious and could result in larger fines and years in prison. Felony charges may also be subject to mandatory minimum sentencing. Aggravating and mitigating factors could also influence possible penalties. Individuals who have no prior drug crime charges can qualify for certain reductions, diversion programs where you take classes and complete community service to earn a dismissal of the charges. Conditional discharge is also another mechanism by which a person can earn a dismissal of the charges, but the requirements include supervised probation combined with drug education classes and community service.

FAQs

What Is the Most Common Criminal Illegal Drug Charge in North Carolina?

The most common criminal illegal drug charge in North Carolina is simple possession of a controlled substance. The majority of drug charges occur against individuals in possession of illegal drugs for their own personal use. Drugs most commonly found include marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. The charge of possession of drug paraphernalia is also common.

What Are the Three Types of Crimes Related to Drugs?

The three types of crimes related to drugs include possession, distribution, and trafficking. Possession can include drugs or drug paraphernalia and can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. Distribution involves activities used to manufacture, sell, or deliver a controlled substance and is charged as a felony. Trafficking is distinguished by the amount of a controlled substance that is being distributed, and carries mandatory minimum sentencing. Many people are often surprised when they get charged with multiple counts of Trafficking, because the state will often charge Trafficking by Possession, Transportation, Sale, or Delivery as separate offenses.

Can I Be Charged with Drug Trafficking If I Never Cross State Lines?

Yes, you can be charged with drug trafficking even if you never cross state lines. Drug trafficking charges are based on weight thresholds. If you have a sufficient quantity of a controlled substance, you can face charges of drug trafficking.

Transporting a controlled substance is not necessary to be charged with trafficking. Simply possessing, manufacturing, or selling a large quantity of a controlled substance can be charged as trafficking.

Can I Get Drug Charges Removed from my Record in North Carolina?

Yes, it is possible to have drug charges removed from your record in North Carolina. The process can be complicated, but it can be made simpler when you hire a drug crime lawyer. If you have already been convicted, you can petition to have your record expunged under Senate Bill 562, which is known as the Second Chance Act. If you are facing charges, you may have the option to plead for conditional discharge or deferred prosecution.

What Is North Carolina’s Drug Tax?

The North Carolina Drug Tax, originally known as the Unauthorized Substance Tax, is a state law that requires anyone in possession of illegal drugs or other illicit substances to pay a tax for these items. The North Carolina Department of Revenue sets the tax rates for these substances. The tax is required to be paid when these substances are first acquired, but in practice, the tax is often applied after an arrest and coupled with penalties and interest.

Hire an Experienced Drug Crime Lawyer and Contact Granados Law Group Today

In Raleigh, even a simple possession charge can come with steep consequences. If you have been charged with a drug-related crime, you need to hire a drug crime lawyer as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in these cases, and you need an experienced defense from a team you can count on. Contact the offices of Granados Law Group today and set up your initial consultation to see how we might be of service to you.