How do prosecutors show someone had intent to distribute drugs?

Drug crime convictions are associated with major consequences, ranging from jail time or probation to significant fines. Numerous details about someone’s arrest for a drug offense will influence what charges they’ll face and what penalties they’ll risk in the event of a conviction. The amount of drugs involved, their placement on the controlled substances schedule and many other seemingly minor details could aggravate the possession charges that someone faces as well. Occasionally, prosecutors will charge someone not with simple possession but rather possession with intent to distribute. How do prosecutors establish that someone had the intent to distribute or sell controlled substances? 1. They highlight the drugs seized There are several ways in which specific substances seized at the time of arrest could lead to allegations of distribution. When someone has a very large amount of a drug, police and prosecutors are likely to question any claims that those substances were just for personal use. The same is true when someone has an assortment of different drugs. Although every person is different, many people using a list of substances only use one drug or one type of drug. A large assortment of different chemical compounds will likely make police and prosecutors suspicious. 2. They catch someone with the wrong paraphernalia There are certain items associated with the consumption of illegal drugs and other drug paraphernalia associated with the transfer of controlled substances. Digital scales and postage scales are among the paraphernalia that police officers frequently associate with drug sales, even though people purchasing drugs would likely benefit from using those tools as well. Additionally, when someone has packaging or what might be useful as packaging on their person or in their vehicle, that may make police officers suspect they had the intent to repackage their drugs. 3. They question someone’s social habits If the person arrested frequently posts on social media making jokes about drug culture or about having a lot of money, that would likely make police officers suspicious. Additionally, those who have a lot of traffic in and out of their homes or who locations. What seems like circumstantial evidence could potentially lead to far worse penalties for the person accused. Learning more about the way the state builds possession with intent cases can help those who are hoping to fight back against unexpectedly harsh accusations.The post How do prosecutors show someone had intent to distribute drugs? first appeared on Ronald E. Smith, P.C..