If you or someone you know has been charged with a marijuana offense, there are a number of benefits to having your case legally evaluated by an experienced criminal defense attorney. Obtaining an unbiased and objective legal opinion of the case can be very helpful in determining the types of defense strategies that might apply to the facts and circumstances of the case.
When consulting with a criminal defense attorney you get a chance to ask and find out what you can expect from the criminal proceedings. You will normally discuss such things as defense strategies and how you might benefit from each should the matter proceed to trial.
Take the time to discuss possible case outcomes and consider the risks and benefits of going to trial. The attorney will be able to provide you with a fee estimate that expressly states what the case could cost you in attorney fees and costs should the matter proceed to trial.
In serious felony marijuana cases, you might want to consider consulting with two or more criminal defense attorneys. In fact, the more consultations you receive, the better informed you become.
Marijuana criminal defense attorneys also represent physicians and other types of professional caregivers who face investigation and formal accusations from their respective professional boards and licensing authority.
Marijuana criminal defense attorneys have traditionally represented clients who have been charged with criminal violations of state and federal marijuana laws. Marijuana defense attorneys also represent clients who have been previously convicted of drug and marijuana charges and often assist them in expunging prior convictions from their records.
Traditionally, criminal defense attorneys are called to practice in a wide variety of areas. For most criminal defense attorneys, defending a marijuana case is really not that different from defending most types of drug charges. This changed however when states began to legally permit the medicinal use of marijuana.
According to a recent national study, there are about thirteen states that provide for the safe and legal access to medically grown marijuana. The mostly nonprofit business units that dispense medical marijuana are known as marijuana dispensaries and pot clinics.
In permissive jurisdictions, patients consult with a physician and obtain from them what is currently referred to as a patient recommendation or medical marijuana identification cards. The card permits the user to purchase cannabis from their local dispensary.
When marijuana dispensaries were in their infancy, it made good sense to retain a criminal defense lawyer to handle most legal troubles. The market however was asking for more, they wanted a legal expert of sorts that catered to both the needs of individual defendants charged with the illegal possession or sale of marijuana, as well as those lawful nonprofit enterprises known as medical marijuana dispensaries.
Some of the larger dispensaries retain a number of attorneys that can counsel them on such things as procuring the required sales permits, obtaining the municipal licenses and permits, purchasing and selling marijuana dispensaries, forming and legally maintaining a nonprofit corporate status, sales tax requirements, state and professional licensing compliance, employment and business disputes.
A growing number of attorneys who are professionally trained in both criminal and civil law are being retained in increasing numbers to advise and represent these dispensaries, recommending physicians and other types of professional caregivers who are subject to investigation and formal accusations from their respective professional boards and licensing authorities.
For more on medical marijuana dispensaries, marijuana defense law groups, local criminal defense attorneys, identification cards, and referring cannabis physicians, go to
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