Omaha Drug Crimes Defense Attorney

Comprehensive Legal Services in Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders, Cass, Douglas & Seward Counties

Drug crime charges are, unfortunately, common in Nebraska, affecting minors and adults regardless of age, background, education, or socioeconomic status. Anyone can be charged with a drug crime, from first-time offenders to chronic users. Drug charges can affect students, professionals, and even seniors, emphasizing that no demographic is immune to the reach of drug laws. These charges can stem from simple possession at the state level to sophisticated federal trafficking operations.

The repercussions of a drug conviction can extend beyond the courtroom, resulting in employment or career challenges, difficulty finding housing, and difficulty qualifying for educational opportunities. You could lose your professional license or face eligibility difficulties for one, especially if convicted of a crime related to prescription drugs. How a drug crime conviction will affect you will depend on the nature and severity of the offense and whether it is a state or federal crime.

At Omaha DUI, we can defend you against all types of drug crime allegations, from marijuana possession to federal drug charges involving importation, manufacture, and trafficking. Our team is well-versed in drug laws and competent in investigating all aspects of the charges, analyzing the evidence, and undermining the prosecution’s case by exposing any weaknesses or rights violations. We serve clients throughout the state of Nebraska.

Discuss your situation in a free consultation with an Omaha drug crime attorney. Call Omaha DUI at (402) 543-3754 or email a team member on our online contact form.

Types Of Drug Crimes Handled By Our Omaha Drug Lawyers

Drug crimes in Nebraska can include:

• Possession of controlled substances: Having illegal drugs in one's possession, whether for personal use or otherwise.
• Drug trafficking: The act of distributing, selling, or transporting illegal drugs.
• Manufacturing: Producing illegal drugs, including growing plants like marijuana or operating meth labs.
• Possession with intent to distribute: Holding larger quantities of drugs to sell or distribute them.
• Drug paraphernalia: Possessing items used for drug consumption or manufacturing.
• Prescription drug crimes: Illegally obtaining or distributing prescription medications.
• Conspiracy to commit drug crimes: Collaborating with others to plan and execute drug-related activities.
• Operating a drug-involved premises: Maintaining a property used for the illegal use, production, or distribution of drugs.

Depending on the circumstances, including the type of drugs involved, drug crime penalties can range from minor to severe. An infraction for a first offense of marijuana possession can result in a fine of $300 only. A federal drug trafficking charge can be investigated by a federal agency like the DEA or the FBI and lead to years in federal prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and forfeiture of crime-related assets and property.

How Drug Crimes Are Charged in Omaha

Drug crimes are charged based on the type and quantity of the drugs found, the nature of the crime, whether weapons were involved, whether the offense occurred in drug-free zones, such as near schools or playgrounds, or whether minors were involved.

The “schedule” under which the drugs are found is an essential factor in drug crimes. Those drugs considered the most dangerous and addictive rank higher in their potential for more severe charges and penalties.

Nebraska’s drug schedules mimic those of the federal government. They include:

• Schedule I: Drugs with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use (e.g., heroin, LSD).
• Schedule II: Drugs with a high potential for abuse but with accepted medical uses under severe restrictions (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine).
• Schedule III: Drugs with a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I or II and accepted medical uses (e.g., anabolic steroids, certain stimulants).
• Schedule IV: Drugs with a low potential for abuse and accepted medical uses (e.g., Xanax, Valium).
• Schedule V: Drugs with the lowest potential for abuse and accepted medical uses (e.g., cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters).