Defenses Strategies for Possession of One Gram of Cocaine in North Carolina

If you were caught with one gram of cocaine in North Carolina, you probably face Class H felony charges. While a Class H felony is not a serious felony, it still has the potential to change your life forever. What kind of defense strategies might be possible in this situation? For clear answers, you might want to speak with an experienced cocaine defense attorney. 

Do You Want to Plead Guilty?

When planning a defense strategy, the first question you need to ask yourself is whether to plead guilty. If you admit wrongdoing, the court may be more lenient with you. You might receive a lighter sentence if you plead guilty, particularly if this is your first criminal offense. If you plan to plead guilty, you should present yourself as an addict rather than a “criminal.” This typically involves establishing that the cocaine in question was your own personal supply for strictly recreational purposes. 

While one gram of cocaine is a considerable amount for a single person, this is well within the accepted threshold of a personal supply. If you can establish that you simply consume a large amount of cocaine, you can push back against any allegations of “intent to sell.” A typical “line” of cocaine might be about 50 milligrams, so someone could theoretically consume twenty 50-mg lines over the course of a single night. If you establish that you are simply a heavy cocaine user and you never sold your supply to anyone else, the court may be particularly lenient. 

Potential Defense Strategies for Not Guilty Pleas

If you decide to plead not guilty, various strategies may apply. The first step is to consider the legality of the search that uncovered the gram of cocaine. Did police officers have a valid, constitutional reason to stop and search you? Did they obtain a warrant or establish probable cause? You might also challenge the net weight of your cocaine. Perhaps your cocaine was cut heavily with a “filler” substance, such as baking powder. If this is the case, the weight of the filler should be subtracted from the total. This could potentially reduce your charges. 

You might also challenge the “chain of custody” of the seized drugs. Did police officers store the cocaine properly? Was it misplaced or “tainted” in any way while in police custody? Another potential defense strategy involves entrapment, especially if an undercover police officer heavily pressured you to purchase the cocaine that led to your arrest. Your lawyer can look into these issues and determine whether any of these defense strategies apply to your situation. 

Can a Cocaine Defense Attorney in North Carolina Help Me?

A cocaine defense attorney in North Carolina may be able to help if you are searching for potential defense strategies. When facing Class H felony charges for possessing one gram of cocaine, various strategies may be possible. Instead of relying on online research, discuss your options with Coastal South Law today.