Marijuana Cultivation

Criminal Charges for Cultivation of Marijuana

Marijuana cultivation is a felony in North Carolina and if you are convicted, you will be subject to heavy penalties. Cultivation is the term used when a suspect has been found to be planting, growing or harvesting cannabis, whether outdoors or through the use of indoor growing equipment. If you are found guilty, your sentence will depend on the quantity of marijuana you were found to be cultivating:

• Less than 10 pounds is punishable by up to 12 months in prison and fines as high as $5,000
• Between 10 and 50 lbs can result in a sentence of25-30 months in prison and fines up to $5,000
• Between 50 and 2,000 lbs can send you to prison for 35-42 months and result in fines up to $25,000

The penalties for this drug crime increase according to the amount of the substance, with the maximum punishment reaching 219 months in jail and $200,000 in fines.

A Raleigh criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you fight your charges and protect you from the damaging effects that a conviction would have for your future. If you get started on your defense now, you increase the likelihood that you will be able to prove your innocence or have your charges reduced to a less serious crime. If you are found guilty, your prison term and the fines you will have to pay will cause severe disruption in every area of life. Even after you have been released from prison, you will have to adjust to life as a convicted felon and the difficulties of finding work due to a criminal record.

Raleigh Drug Crime Attorney by Your Side

Your arrest for marijuana cultivation probably has caused you a great deal of worry and concern. At the Hopper Law Firm PLLC, we want to help you achieve a successful resolution to the situation and we are ready to meet with you today. The first thing we will do is consult with you regarding your case, including the circumstances of your arrest and the methods used by the police in gathering evidence against you. There are many strategies for defending against charges of cultivation, but each one depends on thorough preparation and extensive knowledge of the law. We have broad experience defending clients against charges of drug crimes and when you come to our office we will brief you on what we can do to help you.