Topic: Possession of a Dangerous Drug
ACCORDING to new data, in the last five years at the Tweed Byron Local Area Command there has been an 8.8% increase in drug offences, such as the use of amphetamines, while ecstasy possession has sky rocketed nearly 200% from 86 offences in 2011 to 256 in 2017.
Contributing to this trend is an increase in the number of drug detections by police and sniffer dogs at music festivals.
Tweed Heads lawyer Carl Edwards has represented countless young people who have found themselves in this situation, in NSW and Queensland jurisdictions.
Possession of a Dangerous Drug (Qld) case study:
Earlier this year, Fortitude Valley police were conducting patrols of the Brisbane Riverstage to assist with the FOMO music festival, when they saw two women exit from the same stall at a set of portable toilets.
According to police the two women ‘appeared nervous’ and tried to ‘quickly walk away’.
Police detained the pair for a search, when one of the women admitted she had drugs in her purse.
Police located six capsules and placed the 18-year-old under arrest.
During questioning, the woman said the capsules contained MDMA and that she was aware it was an offence to possess dangerous drugs.
She was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Drug under Section 9 of the Drug Misuse Act 1986 (Qld), given a Notice to Appear in court and released from custody.
A NSW resident, the young woman contacted Tweed Heads solicitor Carl Edwards to represent her at Coolangatta Local Court.
She faced a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment or a recorded conviction, which would have had dire results on her future career, education and overseas travel.
However, Solicitor Carl Edwards put forward a strong case for the character of the young woman, who was an employed recent school-leaver, still living at home.
She was given a Section 12 under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) with no conviction recorded, which was the best possible result for any client charged with possession of dangerous drug.
If you have been charged with possession of a prohibited drug in Qld or NSW, Carl Edwards Solicitor can advise you on your prospects of contesting a charge, guide you through the court process, negotiate with the prosecution, suggest ways to reduce your penalty and appear for you in court for the best possible outcome.
Contact (07) 5536 5965 for a free phone consultation with solicitor Carl Edwards today.