Cocaine Charges in Las Vegas

While the federal government classifies cocaine as a Schedule II controlled substance, Nevada Administrative Code § 453.510 includes cocaine as a Schedule I drug. Because drug possession can incur either state or federal charges depending on the circumstances of the case, this can mean some very serious penalties if a person is convicted in either state or federal court on cocaine charges.

In addition to possible time in prison and very sizable fines, any drug possession conviction can have potentially damaging consequences on a person’s career and personal life. These charges can have life-changing penalties and they deserve to be taken seriously.

Las Vegas Cocaine Charges Lawyer

If you are facing any type of drug charges, including cocaine charges, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, you will want to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Law Office of Joel M. Mann fights drug charges for clients all over Clark County and throughout the greater Las Vegas area.

Joel Mann’s background in Nevada District Court and the Clark County District Attorney’s office, let alone his 14 years in criminal defense practice, gives him a wealth of knowledge when it comes to defending his clients. Call (702) 474-6266 today to have him review your case during a free legal consultation.

Nevada Cocaine Charges

Criminal offenses related to cocaine in Nevada include:

  • Unlawful possession (not for purpose of sale) (Nevada Revised Statute § 453.336) — Category E felony for first or second offense, category D felony for third or subsequent offense (or if you have previously been convicted two or more times in the aggregate of any violation of the law of the United States or of any state, territory or district relating to a controlled substance) if you knowingly or intentionally possess cocaine.
  • Unlawful possession for sale (Nevada Revised Statute § 453.337) — Category D felony for first offense, category C felony for second offense (or if you have previously been convicted of a felony under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act or of an offense under the laws of the United States or any state, territory or district which, if committed in this State, would amount to a felony under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act), category B felony for third or subsequent offense (or if you have previously been convicted two or more times of a felony under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act or of any offense under the laws of the United States or any state, territory or district which, if committed in this State, would amount to a felony under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act) if you possess less than four grams of cocaine for the purpose of sale.
  • Offer, attempt or commission of unauthorized act relating to controlled or counterfeit substance unlawful (Nevada Revised Statute § 453.321) — Category B felony if you import, transport, sell, exchange, barter, supply, prescribe, dispense, give away, administer, manufacture, compound cocaine or you offer or attempt to do any of those actions.
  • Trafficking in controlled substances (Nevada Revised Statute § 453.3385) — Category B felony if you knowingly or intentionally sell, manufacture, deliver or bring into Nevada or you are knowingly or intentionally in actual or constructive possession of four grams or more but less than 28 grams of cocaine. Category A felony if you knowingly or intentionally sell, manufacture, deliver or bring into Nevada or you are knowingly or intentionally in actual or constructive possession of 28 grams or more of cocaine.

Cocaine Penalties in Las Vegas

Depending on which of the above crimes a person is convicted of, the punishments include:

  • Category E Felonies — Up to four years in prison and/or fines of up to $5,000.
  • Category D Felonies — Applicable violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.336 are punishable up to four years in prison and/or fines of up to $20,000. Applicable violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.337 are punishable up to four years in prison and/or fines of up to $5,000.
  • Category C Felonies — Up to five years in prison with no probation or suspended sentence and/or fines of up to $10,000.
    • Category B Felonies — Applicable violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.337 are punishable by at least three years and up to 15 years in prison with no probation or suspended sentence and/or fines of up to $20,000. First violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.321 are punishable by at least one year and up to six years in prison and/or fines of up to $20,000.
      Second violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.321 are punishable by at least two years and up to 10 years in prison with no probation or suspended sentence and/or fines of up to $20,000.Third or subsequent violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.321 are punishable by at least three years and up to 15 years in prison with no probation or suspended sentence and/or fines of up to $20,000. Applicable violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.3385 involving four grams or more but less than 14 grams of cocaine are punishable by at least one year and up to six years in prison with no probation or suspended sentence and/or fines of up to $50,000.Applicable violations of Nevada Revised Statute § 453.3385 involving 14 grams or more but less than 28 grams of cocaine are punishable by at least two years and up to 15 years in prison with no probation or suspended sentence and/or fines of up to $100,000.
    • Category A Felonies — Life sentence or 25 years in prison with a minimum of 10 years for parole, no probation or suspended sentence, and mandatory fines of up to $500,000.

Federal Cocaine Charges

It is important to remember that the federal government can pursue charges involving any amount of cocaine. These cases can involve cocaine crimes that involve federal agents or occurred on federal property, but they largely deal specifically with trafficking. The penalties for a federal cocaine trafficking conviction involve even stiffer prison sentences and larger fines than state charges:

  • 500-4,999 grams of cocaine or 28-279 grams of cocaine base, first offense — Minimum prison sentence of five years up to 40 years. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, minimum prison sentence of 20 years up to life sentence. Maximum fine of $5 million if offender is an individual, up to $25 million if not an individual.
  • 500-4,999 grams of cocaine or 28-279 grams of cocaine base, second offense — Minimum prison sentence of 10 years up to life sentence. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life imprisonment. Maximum fine of $8 million if offender is an individual, up to $50 million if not an individual.
  • Five kilograms or more of cocaine or 280 grams or more of cocaine base, first offense — Minimum prison sentence of 10 years up to life sentence. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, minimum prison sentence of 20 years up to life sentence. Maximum fine of $10 million if offender is an individual, up to $50 million if not an individual.
  • Five kilograms or more of cocaine or 280 grams or more of cocaine base, second offense — Minimum prison sentence of 20 years up to life sentence. If case involves death or serious bodily injury, life imprisonment. Maximum fine of $20 million if offender is an individual, up to $75 million if not an individual.
  • Five kilograms or more of cocaine or 280 grams or more of cocaine base, two or more prior offenses — Life imprisonment. Maximum fine of $20 million if offender is an individual, up to $75 million if not an individual.

Nevada Cocaine Defenses

Some of the ways you may be able to attack the prosecution’s case against you include, but are not limited to:

  • Cocaine belonged to someone else
  • Entrapment
  • Evidence against you was mishandled
  • Illegal search and seizure
  • Miranda rights violation
  • You did not intend to sell cocaine
  • You did not knowingly possess cocaine

Clark County Cocaine Charges Lawyer

Joel Mann with the Law Office of Joel M. Mann has represented countless people in Clark County and all over Nevada against cocaine and other drug charges. He is committed to getting the most favorable resolutions for all of his clients.

You can take advantage of a free legal consultation from the Law Office of Joel M. Mann by calling (702) 474-6266 right now. We will help you understand all of your legal options and answer all of your questions throughout this process.