According to a local news article (November 2008), a former sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty to 10 counts of embezzlement, two counts of attempting to traffic in opium and OxyContin and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses and common law forgery, in a Winston Salem drug crimes settlement. He pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement reached with the Yadkin County District Attorney's office. The former deputy allegedly altered colonoscopy reports to state that he had cancer. Prior to the settlement, defense attorney, Winston Salem drug crime lawyer stated that the former deputy was eager to defend himself against the charges.
Post settlement, local North Carolina newspaper commented that "Charges included 10 counts of embezzlement, two counts of attempting to traffic in opium and oxycontin, one count of obtaining property by false pretenses and common law forgery. These were merged into four charges for sentencing and the eight counts of felony larceny by employee were dropped."
What Is at Risk when you are charged with a Drug Crime in Winston Salem North Carolina
In North Carolina, drug possession, sale, and trafficking are serious offenses that can carry penalties of long-term imprisonment and hefty fines. For heroin trafficking, for example, sentencing can include a prison term up to 279 months and a $500,000 fine, depending on how many grams of the drug were involved. Convictions for drug trafficking in general dole out harsh punishment, especially if the incident occurred in the vicinity of a school. Sentencing could be worse still if this is not your first offense. If you are accused of trafficking crimes, you should contact a drug trafficking lawyer in Winston Salem immmediately.
In addition to imprisonment, drug offenses can carry other direct penalties including:
* Loss of property rights
* Loss of driver's license
* Fines
* Probation
* Mandatory drug treatment
* Mandatory educational program participation
Indirect penalties can include damaging employment opportunities.
It is critical that you know the risks and work with a qualified attorney to develop your defense when charged with:
* Drug manufacturing
* Drug possession
* Drug possession with intent to distribute
* Drug trafficking
* Interstate trafficking
* Prescription drug fraud
If you have been accused of a drug crime in Winston Salem, NC, you have no time to lose. Drug crimes, sex crimes and other criminal cases can move quickly through the judicial system and you may stand to lose important rights if you do not act right away.
About the Attorney: Winston Salem crimes attorney is a board certified specialist in state and federal criminal law by the North Carolina State Board of Legal Specialization. He has earned the recognition of his peers in Martindale-Hubbell®'s Peer Review Ratings™, an honor given to a mere 14 percent of lawyers in America. He has been profiled by several publications including the Winston-Salem Journal, Qué Pasa, and The Advocate, and has appeared in WXII TV 12 video interviews as a legal expert. Winston Salem attorney focuses his practice on all types of criminal defense cases, including but not limited to sex crimes,drug crimes, and white collar crimes.