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Drug Crimes

Baton Rouge Drug Lawyers

The state of Louisiana has strict laws regarding illegal drugs, from the minimum sentencing guidelines to the substances that are classified as illegal. A conviction on even a misdemeanor drug charge can result in jail time. Felony charges carry the potential for even longer prison stretches. The quality, experience and toughness of a Baton Rouge drug lawyer might be the difference on everything from the charges that get filed to the verdict of the jury to the potential sentence issued by a judge. 

Beall & Thies has been fighting for defendants for over 20 years. We know how much is at stake for our clients and we fight to earn their freedom and reputation. Call our office today at (225) 577-6223 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

Marijuana Penalties in Louisiana

An increasing number of states might be legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, but Louisiana is not one of them. The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is allowed, but that requires a prescription from a doctor. Otherwise, on everything from possession to distribution, marijuana is illegal here in Louisiana. 

The potential penalties range depending on the quantity of marijuana involved. Possession of 14 grams or less is a misdemeanor with no jail time and a maximum fine of $100. But anything over 14 grams at least opens the door to up to six months behind bars. Once the quantity weighs in at 2 ½ pounds, the charges become felonies, with a minimum sentence of two years in jail and possibly as long as ten years behind bars. Penalties continue to incrementally escalate with quantity, peaking at a 25-year mandatory minimum for possession of 10,000 pounds or more of marijuana. 

Distribution is even more harshly sanctioned. To begin with, the amount involved in distribution is irrelevant—it is always a felony, and a first offense means a prison stretch of anywhere from 5 to 30 years. If the sale was done to a minor, the maximum sentence rises to 45 years in jail. Future offenses see minimums double to 10 years and maximums that reach as high as 60 years for selling to an adult and 90 years if the buyer is a minor. 

The experienced Baton Rouge drug attorneys at Beall & Thies know your rights and they understand how to fight for them within the state and federal systems. Call today at (225) 577-6223 or fill out our online contact form to set up a consultation.

Drug Crimes Can Involve Federal Charges

The possibility of federal prosecutors getting involved is a further complication that can come with drug offenses. It’s important to have a Baton Rouge drug lawyer who is experienced in federal court specifically, because these cases often have a different dynamic than those prosecuted at the state level. 

Federal prosecutors typically have lower caseloads then do their state counterparts. This means they may be less likely to offer favorable plea bargain agreements. It means they can give greater focus to the cases they do move forward on. Judges in federal courts can follow suit, often demanding a stricter attention to detail than would be the case in the state system. An experienced attorney, with a strong team behind them, has a better chance of being prepared for its coming and then matching—and even exceeding---the prosecutor’s attention to legal detail. 

Experienced Lawyers You Can Trust

Beall & Thies has been serving the people of Baton Rouge for over 20 years as a firm. Our individual lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience. We have a talented and dedicated staff. We’re all committed to making sure every client that comes through our door gets the fair treatment and zealous defense that the American system is supposed to promise. 

Call today at (225) 577-6223 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

Other Drug Offenses 

Louisiana classifies illegal drugs—formally known as Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) into five different categories. Where each drug fits depends on how addictive it can be, as well as to what (if any) legitimate medical usage it has. 

Schedule 1 drugs are considered the most serious. They are highly addictive and have little, if any, medicinal value. Heroin is a prime example of a Schedule 1 drug. The Schedule 2 substances, like opium and morphine, are not far behind in how dangerous they can be and how severely they will be treated in a court of law.

 

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  • Russell W. Beall Photo
    Russell W. Beall

    "Russell W. Beall is a founding partner in the Baton Rouge law firm of Beall & Thies LLC. His main emphasis of practice is on Civil Litigation including Torts, Products Liability, and Premises Liability. Russell is a frequent guest speaker at Louisiana State University Law School where he participates in the Appellate Advocacy Program and the Professionalism Orientation. He earned his B.A. degree at Louisiana State University (1998) and his J.D Louisiana State University Law School (2001). Russell is an active member of the Louisiana Association for Justice and is frequently invited to be a guest speaker at continuing legal education seminars."

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    William W. Thies

    "William W. Thies was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1974 moving with his family to Slidell, Louisiana at seven years of age. Mr. Thies graduated from Slidell High School in 1992. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in history and political science from Louisiana State University in 1996 and his Juris Doctorate from the Southern University Law Center in 2001. He was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association in May 2002. He is a member of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, American Bar Associations, and the Louisiana Association of Justice. He is admitted to practice in all state courts, the United States District Court for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Louisiana, as well as the United States Supreme Court."

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    Jacob Thomas

    "Jacob H. Thomas is originally from the Piney Hills of North Louisiana, known for producing great litigators such as Huey P. Long as well as several other notable statesmen on the both the federal and state levels.
    Jake is a graduate of Jonesboro-Hodge High School and Northwestern State University where he was a member of the Theta Mu chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the NSU Presidential Leadership Program, and the Inter-Fraternity Council serving as Vice President."

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    Aaron Humphreys

    "Aaron Humphreys joined Beall & Thies, LLC as an associate attorney in the fall of 2016. He was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association in May of 2016. Aaron is also a member of the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana Association of Justice."

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    George Caballero

    "George G. Caballero practices general civil law and focuses on plaintiff’s personal injury, wills, and successions. George joined Beall & Thies as of counsel in 2017 after starting Caballero Law Firm in 1993. Mr. Caballero has over thirty years of experience as an attorney and has served clients in various matters ranging from business and tort litigation, business, family law, and successions.
    Mr. Caballero is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University and Mississippi College School of Law. Upon graduation, he immediately went into the private practice of law, practicing in both Louisiana and Mississippi."

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    Jewel “Trae” E. Welch, III

    "Trae is a lifelong resident of the Baker-Zachary area. Trae is the son of The Honorable Judge Duke Welch, currently presiding on the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals, and former East Baton Rouge Councilwoman, Roxson Welch. Trae is married to the former Lynn Caldwell of Tallulah, Louisiana. Together Trae and Lynn are raising their two children Quade and Vivian."

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