If you’re contending with drug paraphernalia charges, you need to know everything there is to know about Louisiana’s drug paraphernalia laws. The criminal defense attorneys with John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm can break down the relevant statutes and walk you through the ways officers can misrepresent them to make arrests.
Our investigation into the drug paraphernalia laws relevant to your case can help us build a robust case in your defense. You can reach out to our team at any time to request representation throughout drug paraphernalia, possession, and distribution cases.
Defining What Drug Paraphernalia Is
Drug paraphernalia does not refer to the possession of drugs themselves. Instead, it encompasses the tools or products used to facilitate the use or sale of drugs. Common forms of drug paraphernalia identified in Louisiana can include the following:
- Pipes
- Grinders
- Scales
- Used spoons
- Bongs
- Hypodermic needles in non-medical settings
Law enforcement can identify drug paraphernalia by testing equipment in a person’s home for drug residue. Conducting these tests can take a considerable amount of time, though, and may not always produce accurate results. Moreover, officers must have a warrant to view any alleged paraphernalia kept on private property.
In other words, it can prove challenging for officers to get ahold of drug paraphernalia kept in a private setting without violating the rights of an alleged possessor. Always take note if you interact with an officer who violates your rights. Their behavior may invalidate any evidence they try to present in criminal court.
Charges Associated With Drug Paraphernalia in Louisiana
Louisiana law goes into detail about the various drug paraphernalia charges residents may face, including the following:
- Distribution of drug paraphernalia
- Display of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
While these laws are designed with the health of Louisiana communities in mind, defense attorneys can find them too vague to appropriately accuse a defendant of a specific crime. If you’re facing accusations of possessing, producing, distributing, or using drug paraphernalia, our team can assess the role these laws may play in your case while cultivating your defense.
Louisiana’s Drug Paraphernalia Consequences
If Louisiana law enforcement issues drug paraphernalia charges against you or someone you care about, they have an obligation to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant violated Louisiana’s drug paraphernalia laws.
Law enforcement may attempt to compound the consequences brought against you to lengthen your jail time or worsen your fine. Some drug paraphernalia fines, particularly those associated with paraphernalia distribution and transportation, may even see the state suspend or revoke your driver’s license.
Most of the time, though, drug paraphernalia charges only constitute misdemeanor charges. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t challenge the charges brought against you, though. You can work with our law firm to cultivate a defense against the prosecutors who want you to serve time for a crime you didn’t commit.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Louisiana Can Help You Overcome Drug Paraphernalia Charges
Police officers throughout Louisiana can misrepresent drug paraphernalia law to hold you accountable for crimes you didn’t commit. If you find yourself struggling to understand a recent arrest and are interested in challenging the charges brought against you, get in touch with John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm.
Our criminal defense attorneys can offer you the representation you need to break down the drug paraphernalia charges brought against you. We won’t stop fighting until your side of the story gets told. You can call (318) 377-1555 or contact us through our website to discuss your circumstances with a criminal defense attorney.