Understand Your Drug Charges
When you are facing charges for a serious drug crime in Brisbane, make sure to get in touch with the team at Brisbane City Criminal Lawyers. We are proud to have helped Brisbane clients for more than 22 years, offering our knowledge in drug laws to help you resolve or minimise penalties as much as possible.
Queensland has very specific legislation regarding drug offences, with penalties reaching up to 25 years of imprisonment—so seeking legal representation and advice for drug charges is always highly recommended.
How We Can Help
The team at Brisbane City Criminal Lawyers will be able to assist you in drug offences, such as:
- Drug possession
- Drug supplying or trafficking
- Cultivating or producing drugs
- Publishing or possessing recipes of dangerous drugs
- Possession of items that can be used to produce or take drugs
- Permitting a place to be used for drug offences
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Any involvement with a drug laboratory
What are the Penalties?
The penalties for drug offences can vary depending on what offence you are charged with, and the type of drug involved. Drugs are separated into two schedules, with Schedule 1 being highly dangerous drugs such as cocaine, heroin and ecstasy, which can lead to a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail. Schedule 2 drugs include cannabis and morphine, which can impose a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.
From there, your charge will vary, depending on the quantity of drugs involved. The Court will likely be more lenient to cases where only a small amount of Schedule 2 drugs is involved. Whether you are a repeat offender, and certain other factors, will also be considered when handing down the final penalty.
Lastly, the Court will consider the purpose for the drugs involved. Trafficking large amounts of illicit drugs will result in a much more serious penalty compared to possessing drugs for personal consumption.
No matter what your situation is, you can count on Brisbane City Criminal Lawyers to work our hardest in minimising your penalty as much as possible.
Drug Charge Process
If you are suspected of possessing, supplying or trafficking drugs in Queensland, the police have the power to conduct searches. This involves checking your possessions and vehicles. The police can also request a person’s name, address, date and place of birth, if they believe they can assist in the investigation. Non-compliance or failure to disclose this information can potentially lead to one month imprisonment or a fine of up to $750.
When you are facing police arrest, we recommend you stay calm and follow orders to avoid further complicating your charges. You have the right to remain silent and it is always in your best interest to contact a professional lawyer as soon as possible. You can reach Brisbane City Criminal Lawyers by calling us on
07 4041 4370.
Drug Diversion Programs
In Queensland, criminal offence charges for drug offences can be avoided in certain circumstances. The police must offer the offender an opportunity to attend a drug diversion assessment program if the person:
- Did not commit other indictable offences associated with the drug charge
- Had never been offered drug diversion before
- Admitted to possessing or consuming the drugs in a recorded interview
- Has no criminal history for violence
- Has never been sentenced to imprisonment for drug offences
A Court ordered drug diversion program is also available for those who committed minor drug crimes. If you have any more questions regarding drug charges, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team can also assist with other
criminal matters, such as
fraud and
traffic offences.
Our Services
Graffiti, public drunkenness, or any other disorderly behaviour in public can be considered a street offence. Read up more about how we can help you here.
When you need legal representation or advice for your traffic offence charge, get in touch with Brisbane City Criminal Lawyers. We are here to help.
