Rhode Island DUI Lawyer, RI DUI, Criminal Defense Attorney, Domestic Assault & Battery, Personal Injury

Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney

S. JOSHUA MACKTAZ, Esquire

A Former Rhode Island State Prosecutor

with a concentration in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Law

Marijuana Lawyer Rhode Island - Possession and Arrest Defense

MARIJUANA LAWYER MACKTAZ INTERVIEWED BY LAWYERS WEEKLY: Click here to Read the article

There are more arrests associated with the possession of marijuana than with possession of any other illicit drug in Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island UCR, in 2001 nearly 53 percent of adult arrests for drug possession and over 81 percent of all juvenile arrests for drug possession were marijuana-related.

Rhode Island Marijuana Defense Lawyer Joshua Macktaz provides aggressive and effective representation to individuals facing Marijuana (also called pot or weed) related Rhode Island drug offenses such as misdemeanor possession, felony possession, cultivation, sale, delivery, and distribution. A former Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General from 1993-1997 Attorney Macktaz has extensive experience with misdemeanor and felony Marijuana possession, sale, and distribution cases as a prosecutor and has used that knowledge to successfully defend his private clients accused of marijuana and drug related offenses. Before becoming a private Rhode Island Defense Lawyer, Attorney Macktaz lectured in-coming police academy cadets as an AG Prosecutor on proper prosecutions and arrests. This unique experience has afforded Mr. Macktaz a wealth of knowledge not readily available to the average criminal defense attorney.

Criminal law embodies the statutes defining criminal offenses, including how offenders are to be charged, tried, and punished. If you are facing criminal charges in Rhode Island such as narcotics or Marijuana possession, intent, cultivation, sale, distribution, or delivery Contact Joshua Macktaz, a Rhode Island Defense Attorney today for a free, initial consultation to discuss your case.

Most Recent Wins

Criminal Charges:

Possession of Marijuana

Police Report: Client and 3 friends are sitting in Client’s motor vehicle in a CVS parking lot rolling and smoking marijuana “blunts”. Cumberland police observe this activity and upon approaching the driver’s side of the vehicle they see Client in possession of the marijuana. Client then admits the marijuana is his in order to keep his friends out of trouble.

Results:

DISMISSED

Criminal Charges:

Possession of Marijuana

Police Report: Client is a passenger in boyfriend’s vehicle which is stopped for speeding. Client puts marijuana and smoking device in her purse and behind driver’s seat as South Kingstown police officer approaches the vehicle. After smelling the scent of freshly burnt marijuana, officer searches Client’s purse and discovers the marijuana and arrests Client.

Results:

DISMISSED

Criminal Charges:

Possession of Marijuana

Police Report: Narragansett police detectives respond to Client’s home to further investigate an unrelated break-in at Client’s home earlier in the week. When Client opens the door the detectives see a baggie of marijuana and smoking device in plain view on Client’s coffee table. Client admits that the marijuana is his and he is arrested by the detectives.

Results:

DISMISSED

Criminal Charges:

Possession of Marijuana

Police Report: Rhode Island State Police stop Client’s vehicle on 95 South for speeding after a radar reading of 85MPH in a 65MPH. Trooper approach the vehicle and immediately detect the odor of freshly burnt marijuana. Client is taken from the car and searched, and Trooper finds marijuana in Client’s right front pants pocket.

Results:

DISMISSED

Criminal Charges:

Possession of Marijuana

Police Report: North Smithfield Police receive a report of passengers in a motor vehicle are shooting paint balls from the vehicle. Police stop Client’s vehicle because it matched the description of the car they were looking for. Police search Client’s vehicle and find 4 grams of marijuana in the center console. Client admits the marijuana is his.

Results:

DISMISSED

Criminal Charges:

Possession of Marijuana

Police Report: Charlestown Police stop Client’s vehicle for speeding (80 MPH in a 55 MPH) and immediately detect a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Police search Client and find 10 grams in Client’s right front pocket.

Results:

DISMISSED

Criminal Charges:

Possession of Marijuana

Police Report: Roger Williams University Police Police smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from Client’s dorm room. RWU police search the room and discover a water pipe, grinder and 10 individually wrapped bags of marijuana in Client’s drawer. Client admits the marijuana and paraphernalia belong to him.

Results:

DISMISSED

Click Here to view more recent Wins by Attorney Macktaz

I have the extensive Criminal law experience in the State of Rhode Island that will benefit you and your loved ones.

Contact Rhode Island Marijuana Defense Lawyer Joshua Macktaz by Email or call today at (401) 861-1155 and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

Even though Rhode Island has legalized the use and possession of Medical Marijuana this does not immunize everyeone. The penalties for possession of Marijuana in the state of Rhode Island are still severe.

Possession of Marijuana in Rhode Island Penalties:

• Possession of Less than 1 kilogram of Marijuana in RI — Considered Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $200 - $500. If you receive a sentence of probation with no imprisonment, the offender is required to undergo a drug abuse evaluation, attend a drug education course and perform up to 100 hours of community service.
• Possession 1 kilogram to 5 kilograms of Marijuana in RI — Considered felony marijuana possession and comes with the penalty is a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years (10) in prison with a maximum of 50 years and a fine of $10,000 - $500,000.
• Possession of More than 5 kilograms of Marijuana in RI — Considered felony marijuana possession and the penalty is a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years (25) in prison with a maximum of life in prison and a fine of $25,000 - $100,000

Sale or possession within 300 yards of a school, public park or playground doubles the possible penalties.

In addition to these penalties if caught driving while in possession of marijuana this is penalized by automatic suspension of the offender's driver's license for six months for the first offense and for one year for subsequent offenses.

For sentences of probation with no imprisonment, the offender is required to undergo a drug abuse evaluation, attend a drug education course and perform 100 hours of community service.

Sale or Cultivation of Marijuana in Rhode Island Penalties:

ALL ARE FELONY CRIMES

• Manufacture or delivery of less than 1 kilogram of Marijuana in RI — Manufacture or delivery of less than one kilogram of marijuana is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $3,000 - $100,000.
• Manufacture or delivery of 1 kilogram to 5 kilograms of Marijuana in RI — For five kilograms or less, the penalty is a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison with a maximum of 50 years and a fine of $10,000 - $500,000.
• Manufacture or delivery of 5 kilograms of Marijuana in RI — For more than five kilograms, the penalty is a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years in prison with a maximum of life in prison and a fine of $25,000 - $100,000.

Delivery to a minor at least three years younger than the offender adds an additional 2 - 5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Sale or possession within 300 yards of a school, public park or playground doubles the possible penalties.

These are serious penalties. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a marijuana related crime Contact Rhode Island Marijuana Defense Lawyer Joshua Macktaz by Email or call today at (401) 861-1155 and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

Rhode Island General Law Penalties for Drug Crimes

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter. Also, the Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any field of practice.