Last December, Willie Nelson was arrested and charged for Possession of Marijuana after officers at a Border Patrol checkpoint found approximately four (4) ounces of marijuana on his tour bus. Prosecutors offered the singer a plea negotiation under which he would plead to a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia charge and pay a $500 in exchange for the State dismissing the drug possession charge. However, when the parties went to court today, the judge refused to accept the negotiation claiming Nelson was getting special treatment.
Nevada has extremely harsh punishments for drug possession. Possession of more than one ounce (28 grams) of marijuana is a felony. Possession of any amount of other controlled substances (such as cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy or heroin) is also a felony. Drug Possession cases carry potential prison sentences of up to four (4) years. A conviction for possession of more than four (4) grams of a controlled substance other than marijuana can result in a mandatory prison sentence under Nevada's drug trafficking laws. Federal drug offenses can carry even heavier sentences. Felony convictions can also impact the right to vote, the right to own or possess firearms as well as educational and employment opportunities.
If you or someone you know has been arrested or charged with drug possession or drug trafficking, it is imperative that you contact a Las Vegas Drug Crimes Attorney right away. The Las Vegas Drug Crimes Lawyer can assist you in analyzing the facts of your case and identifying applicable defenses. The Las Vegas Drug Crimes Lawyer can help you determine if a motion to suppress is appropriate and provide you with the most aggressive defense strategy possible to protect your legal rights.