Drug Offenses
In the past, drug offenses in Kentucky have carried significant jail and prison sentences. With persistent felony offender laws (PFO), and subsequent offender enhancements, people charged with drug crimes have been subjected to seemingly outrageous penalties for possessing minimal quantities of controlled substances.
The tides are starting to turn, however. Our lawmakers have recently begun to acknowledge that incarcerating citizens with substance abuse problems is a lose-lose situation: it is a burden on taxpayer dollars and it does nothing to address the problem of addiction.
New laws have now been passed that allow for lesser penalties for drug offenses, including more treatment options, greater possibilities for probation, and deferred prosecution (diversion) for first and second time offenders. Additionally, persistent felony offender laws (PFO) and subsequent offender enhancements have been lessened in relation to drug laws.
This is good news for those charged with drug offenses. But it is essential to have an experienced attorney who knows the ins and outs of these new laws and can insure that you benefit fully from them. Many of the provisions in the new laws allow for judicial discretion. This means that it is of the utmost importance that you have an attorney who will passionately fight for you in order to take full advantage of these discretionary provisions.
Call Brandon Pfeiffer today for a free consultation (502) 386-7388
In the past, drug offenses in Kentucky have carried significant jail and prison sentences. With persistent felony offender laws (PFO), and subsequent offender enhancements, people charged with drug crimes have been subjected to seemingly outrageous penalties for possessing minimal quantities of controlled substances.
The tides are starting to turn, however. Our lawmakers have recently begun to acknowledge that incarcerating citizens with substance abuse problems is a lose-lose situation: it is a burden on taxpayer dollars and it does nothing to address the problem of addiction.
New laws have now been passed that allow for lesser penalties for drug offenses, including more treatment options, greater possibilities for probation, and deferred prosecution (diversion) for first and second time offenders. Additionally, persistent felony offender laws (PFO) and subsequent offender enhancements have been lessened in relation to drug laws.
This is good news for those charged with drug offenses. But it is essential to have an experienced attorney who knows the ins and outs of these new laws and can insure that you benefit fully from them. Many of the provisions in the new laws allow for judicial discretion. This means that it is of the utmost importance that you have an attorney who will passionately fight for you in order to take full advantage of these discretionary provisions.
Call Brandon Pfeiffer today for a free consultation (502) 386-7388
