Nashua Drug Crime Lawyers

New Hampshire categorizes illicit controlled substances into 5 different schedules, where Schedule I lists the most dangerous drugs with a high probability of abuse and no recognized medical value, and the subsequent schedules decrease in probability of abuse and increase in recognized medical uses. It is illegal to possess CDS without a valid medical prescription, and the penalties and sentencing will depend on the classification of the drug and amount in question.

In particular, possession of Schedule I, II, III, or IV CDS will result in the following penalties based on the number of prior convictions:

• First offense – a fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to 7 years in prison
• Second or subsequent offense – a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to 15 years in prison

Possession of Schedule V CDS are punished more harshly by:

• First offense – $15,000 in fines and/or up to 3 years in prison
• Second and subsequent offense – up to $25,000 in fines and/or up to 7 years in prison

Marijuana carries its own specific sentencing, an adult (older than age 18) can face the following penalties based on the alleged amount in possession:

• Less than ¾ of an ounce (first and second offense) – $100 in fines
• Less than ¾ of an ounce (third offense within 3 years of the first offense) – $300 in fines
• Less than ¾ of an ounce (fourth offense within 3 years of the first offense) – Class B misdemeanor with a fine of $1,200 and no prison time
• More than ¾ of an ounce – up to 1 year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $350.

Note that the above penalties apply to a person over the age of 21 who is guilty of possessing an amount equivalent to that for personal use, as well as marijuana-infused products like edibles, drinks, tinctures, and ointments.

New Hampshire Drug Sale Laws

Beyond possession, sale of an illegal drug is severely punishable under state and federal law. Selling a controlled substance could include bartering, giving away, manufacturing, distributing, delivering, exchanging, or even offering to perform any of those activities. As a result, it is possible to be convicted even if no transaction ever takes place. Further, courts established that even bringing someone to meet another person to engage in the sale of a CDS is enough for conviction. For example, a person could be guilty of drug sale if they are prescribed medication and sell it to someone else.

Depending on the severity of the crime, the sale of a CDS can be either a felony or misdemeanor, and a conviction can result in years of incarceration and substantial fines:

• Misdemeanor – up to 1 year in jail; around $1,000 in fines
• Felony – up to 40 years in prison for a first offense and up to a life sentence for multiple offenses; around $250,000 in fines per offense

A defendant may be sentenced to probation as well, which usually lasts at least 12 months or 2-5 years. Probation allows a person to serve their sentence outside of jail, though there are certain requirements to meet during the probation period, including meeting regularly with a probation officer, not committing additional crimes, submitting to drug tests, allowing random home or vehicle searches, performing community service, and maintaining employment.

Regarding the sale of marijuana, an offense can be penalized depending on the amount allegedly sold or intended to be sold:

• Less than 1 ounce (first offense) – felony punishable by up to 3 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $25,000
• Less than 1 ounce (subsequent offense) – felony punishable by up to 6 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $50,000
• 1 ounce to 5 pounds (first offense) – felony punishable by up to 7 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $100,000
• 1 ounce to 5 pounds (subsequent offense) – felony punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $200,000
• 5 pounds or more (first offense) – felony punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $300,000
• 5 pounds or more (subsequent offense) – felony punishable by up to 40 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500,000

Note that a defendant could face enhanced penalties if the alleged sale occurred within 1,000 feet of a school zone, in which case they may be punished with a felony with double the sentence and the fine.