Dayton Drug
Manufacturing
Lawyer

Legal Representation for Drug Manufacturing & Cultivation Cases in Ohio

After years of fighting for clients, Gounaris Abboud has positioned itself as one of Ohio’s top criminal defense firms. We don’t give the state an inch when defending our clients, and we never stop fighting for the best resolution based on your circumstances.

If the state has charged you with drug manufacturing, our team is ready to meet and discuss your options for fighting the charge. We are available around the clock, so call and get started on your defense today.

What Is Considered Manufacturing Drugs Under Ohio Law?

Drug manufacturing in Ohio is a broad charge that encompasses any action leading to the production or manufacture of an illegal drug or controlled substance. Regarding quantities, there is no minimum quantity necessary for the state to charge you with drug manufacturing, and drug manufacturing charges apply to scheduled plants as well as synthetic drugs.

For example, the planting, cultivation, harvesting, and processing of marijuana can net a drug manufacturing charge, as may the manufacture of cocaine and other drugs found on the controlled substances list.

A drug manufacturing charge is a felony offense. The degree of felony, of which the first degree is the most serious, depends on where the drug in question lies on the controlled substances schedule, which is divided into 5 schedules: I-V. Manufacturing a Schedule I or II drug is a second-degree felony, while manufacturing a Schedule III, IV, or V drug is a third-degree felony.

Keep in mind that drug manufacturing near a school or juvenile can result in charges being enhanced by a degree. For example, if you manufacture a Schedule I drug near a school or juvenile, the charge will be filed as a first-degree felony instead of a second-degree felony.

Ohio Drug Manufacturing and Cultivation Penalties

Penalties for drug manufacturing are stiff and common. Prosecutors seek the upper end of sentencing ranges for those with a drug conviction. As you’ll note in the table, methamphetamine charges and marijuana charges are treated differently from other drugs. Historically, marijuana has received markedly different treatment (less harsh) under Ohio criminal law than other Schedule I drugs, and it is now legal in Ohio.

Regarding methamphetamine, legislators have decided that it also deserves harsher treatment. Regardless of the drug underlying your drug manufacturing charge, you deserve representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Other Consequences of Drug Manufacturing Convictions

As demonstrated in the table, the penalty consequences for a drug manufacturing conviction are heavy. Convicted individuals can reasonably expect to do some time when Schedule I or II drugs are involved or when children or juveniles figure into the picture.

However, prison time is not the only consequence of a drug manufacturing conviction. Fines and court costs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, depending on your charge.

Outside of the criminal realm, other repercussions await those with a drug manufacturing conviction on their criminal record, including employment difficulties, housing procurement issues, and complicated family law matters. The loss of certain fundamental rights also awaits them. Felons in Ohio cannot vote, possess firearms, or hold public office.

You may also face consequences in your profession if you happen to be a licensed professional. Attorneys, for example, can be disbarred for a felony conviction, as may doctors and other professionals. Those seeking to enter these professions will have an uphill battle with a felony drug manufacturing conviction.

Defense attorneys understand these high stakes and fight to not only keep their clients out of prison but to protect their futures as well.

Defense Strategies Against Manufacturing Illegal Drugs Charges

The Constitution gives you the right to defend yourself against criminal charges. So high are the stakes that the state must provide you with an attorney if you cannot afford one.

Various defenses may be available in your case, depending on the facts, including:

• You were a licensed professional authorized to engage in drug manufacturing.
• The substance forming the basis of your charge was not a controlled substance.
• The police illegally collected evidence against you.
• The police violated your Miranda Rights (explaining your right to remain silent during and after an arrest).
• The evidence suffered chain of custody problems.
• The lab botched the test.
• The witnesses against you are lying or benefit from their testimony.

Regarding the first bullet point, numerous licensed professionals work with controlled substances during the course of their employment. Pharmacists and drug makers handle and manufacture prescription drugs, as do medical researchers and chemists. Sadly, overzealous police and prosecutors sometimes charge first and ask questions later.

Whatever your circumstances, there is always a defense available. If you have been charged with drug manufacturing, the fight has just begun. Reach out to a defense lawyer as soon as possible.