If you know what Dragon, Big H, Mud, Skag, and Smack are (heroin), you might also know what Pocks First is. That’s the way it’s pronounced. It’s spelled POCS 1, which stands for Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. Heroin is bad news – and so is POCS 1.
Drug charges are taken seriously in Kentucky, and punishments can be severe, resulting in jail time and fines A conviction will bring a criminal record that will stay with you forever and negatively affect every area of your life, including your employment, education, and housing opportunities, and your relationships.
If you’ve been charged with POCS 1 or any charges related to heroin, you should enlist the help of an experienced drug charges defense attorney. Dan Carman, PLLC knows the extensive problems those involved with drugs face and has defended clients against these charges for years.
He knows the courts, the prosecutors, and the system and can help you through the legal tangle involved with heroin charges and negotiate the best possible outcome for you.
We offer a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your case and determine the best way to help. As experienced drug charge lawyer, we understand the complexities of these cases. Call us at 859-685-1055 as soon as you know you are facing drug charges so we can start working on your behalf.
Our Heroin Defense Lawyer Fights for You
Why Choose Us
There are many attorneys in Kentucky, and it’s important for you to find one that you feel comfortable with and who has the experience necessary to fight serious criminal charges. Here are some reasons why we think Dan Carman is your best choice:
- We are experienced and bilingual. Attorney Dan Carman speaks Spanish and has accommodated speakers of other languages.
- We are recognized in our field. Dan Carman is a member of various local and national Bar Associations and has previously been named in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers. Mr. Carman has served as a law clerk for judges and as a judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps. He also worked as a prosecutor and a legal assistant attorney, so he knows how the system works and how prosecutors think and operate.
- We are local. With an office in Lexington, KY, we represent clients facing criminal charges throughout the state.
- We understand drug problems. We know that there are reasons why our clients started using heroin, and that many have tried mightily to fight their addiction. When you are faced with heroin charges, we take the burden off you by handling all legal hurdles and negotiations to get you the best outcome for your case.
- We are available 24/7 for client emergencies.
- We provide free consultations to find the best way to defend you.
How Our Heroin Lawyer Works to Help You
Everyone at Dan Carman— lawyers and support staff — shares our commitment to our clients. When you have our team on your side, we will:
- Investigate the circumstances of your drug charge to determine what happened and the best way to build a solid defense.
- Gather evidence from surveillance photos and videos, police reports and records, and interviews with witnesses.
- Look for flaws in the case and mistakes made by police and prosecutors, such as improper search and seizure and failure to read Miranda rights. When evidence is found to be inadmissible due to its being unlawfully obtained, this can greatly enhance the possibility that you will be found not guilty.
- Prepare you to go to court and prevent you from saying or doing anything that would hurt your case.
- Negotiate and plea bargain for a lesser charge, such as dropping a felony to a misdemeanor or having your case dismissed.
- Take your case to court, litigate aggressively, and file any appeals if necessary.
Heroin Defense Attorney Knows Drug Charges and Punishments
Heroin can be injected, snorted or sniffed, or smoked. It is a highly addictive substance, no matter how you use it, and it quickly enters the brain. It is estimated that one-fourth of the people who try heroin become addicted to it.
Heroin has replaced prescription pain pills as the drug of choice in some parts of Kentucky, both because officials have been successful in their efforts to curb prescription pill abuse and because it is cheaper than pain pills.
Heroin is a Schedule I narcotic, the classification for the most dangerous drugs — those which are considered to have a high potential for abuse and are generally without medicinal value. The potential punishments for heroin charges depend on whether you have been charged with possession or trafficking.
Under KRS 218A.1415, possession of a controlled substance in the first degree is a class D felony. Conviction may result in a prison sentence of up to 3 years and a fine between $1,000 and $10,000 dollars.
For you to be charged with drug possession, you simply must have the drugs under your control. However, if law enforcement officers find heroin or other illegal drugs in your possession, they will be looking for signs that you actually were involved in distribution.
Things like having large quantities of the drug or having packaging or scales or a large amount of money in your possession could be viewed as indications of drug trafficking, and the charges and attendant consequences will be ramped up considerably.
Drug distribution or trafficking is the selling, furnishing or delivering of an unlawful controlled substance. These charges are often brought against people who try to sell drugs to an undercover officer or a confidential informant.
Trafficking charges can bring 5- to 10-year sentences plus fines, and heroin trafficking is treated especially severely. Penalties in distribution cases depend on factors such as type of drug, quantity of drug, whether minors were involved, whether the distribution happened near a school, and whether there were prior convictions.
Many of Kentucky’s drug laws are related to federal law, where there is a mandatory minimum 20-year prison sentence and a maximum sentence of life when an overdose death is linked to a drug dealer.
Get Help from Our Heroin Possession Defense Attorney
You may have taken heroin thinking it would make your problems disappear. Instead, they may have multiplied. And problems with the law don’t just disappear – you’ll need the help of an attorney experienced in drug crime defense, one who knows what questions to ask and what steps to take so you can put this behind you and get on with the rest of your life.
Fortunately, help is available. Based in Lexington, criminal defense attorney Dan Carman represents clients facing heroin and other drug and criminal charges throughout the state. Defending those involved with drugs has always been a part of Dan’s entire criminal defense career.
He understands addiction can be a personal Hell, no matter what drugs were used or how poor or wealthy the client.
Your addiction is ruining your life and impacting the lives of all of those around you. Dan Carman understands the crisis you’re suffering and believes that you’re a fellow human being who deserves respect and an opportunity to turn your life around.
No one is beyond saving — even you, no matter what you’re accused of or your heroin use. You need to take the steps necessary to make heroin part of your past, not your present or future.
Dan Carman can help you address the criminal charges that should make you realize you truly need to make changes in your life. He is dedicated to building the best possible defense for every client, depending on the unique circumstances of each case.
Dan has wide-ranging experience from serving in the United States Marine Corps as defense counsel, prosecutor, legal assistance attorney, and in-house counsel for an infantry battalion.
This experience gives him valuable insight into both sides of the legal process, which can benefit those charged with crimes. He knows how the Kentucky criminal justice system operates and will properly handle your case every step of the way.
A phone call to Dan Carman could be the next step you need to take. We take seriously what could be serious business for you and your family.
Don’t gamble with your freedom by trying to handle it yourself.
A criminal conviction can have lifelong implications. The Carman Law Firm offers thorough, experienced representation and aggressive defense and a free initial consultation to help you get started. Discuss your situation with a skilled Kentucky defense lawyer today. Call today at (859) 685-1055.