Connecticut Law on Marijuana: What You Should Know
by
Joseph C. Maya on Apr. 28, 2017
Criminal Criminal Misdemeanor Criminal Felony
Summary: Blog post on the penalties in Connecticut for possession of marijuana.
For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney, please call the offices of Maya Murphy, P.C. today at (203) 221-3100 or Joseph C. Maya, Esq. at JMaya@Mayalaw.com.
In the United States, one of the most hotly debated topics is that of marijuana possession and the criminal penalties attached to it. In Connecticut, penalties for marijuana possession vary greatly depending on both the amount of the substance in your possession, but also the number of previous times you have been convicted of possession of marijuana.
Consequences for First Offense
If you are arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and it is your first such offense, the initial factor into determining the penalty you may face if you are convicted is the amount in your possession. If you are determined to have under one-half ounce, you will be facing an infraction which means up to a $150.00 fine and no criminal record. If you are found to have between one-half ounce to four ounces, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to a $1,000.00 fine and up to one year in jail. If you are found to have anything over four ounces in your possession, you would then face a felony charge which brings with it penalties of up to a $2,000.00 fine and up to five years in jail.
Consequences for Second Offense
If you are arrested and charged with possession of marijuana a second time, the charges become much more severe. Unlike your first offense, if you are found to possess under a half an ounce, the charge is still an infraction but the fine is up to $500.00. If you are found to be in possession of between one-half ounce and four ounces, you are no longer facing a misdemeanor but are now facing a felony charge which can bring with it penalties of up to a $3,000.00 fine and up to five years in jail. If you are convicted of possession of marijuana for a second time and have more than four ounces in your possession, the penalty is up to a $5,000.00 fine and up to ten years in jail.
It is evident that Connecticut provides harsher penalties for second time offenders so it is important that if you are charged with your first offense you take that charge very seriously, not only because of the serious penalties that arise from your first offense but the drastic increase in penalties for any subsequent offense. If you are facing a charge for the possession of marijuana, contact the experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. today at 203-221-3100.
Maya Murphy P.C. has the resources and expertise to offer you the best possible representation throughout the criminal process. If you are facing criminal charges or wish to appeal your case, please call the offices of Maya Murphy, P.C. today at (203) 221-3100 or Joseph C. Maya, Esq. atJMaya@Mayalaw.com.
Source: Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 21a-279
