Last week, Amanda Bynes was arrested after she was reportedly found in possession of marijuana and a water pipe, commonly called a "bong." Police claim that, when confronted by law enforcement, Bynes grabbed the bong and threw it off the balcony of her apartment, destroying the bong and endangering pedestrians below. Bynes claims the item she threw was a vase, not drug paraphernalia. Bynes was subsequently released on her own recognizance (meaning she did not have to post bail and her promise to appear was sufficient). When she returns to court, Bynes will face charges of Marijuana Possession, Reckless Endangerment and Destruction of Evidence.
In Nevada, Possession of Marijuana is a misdemeanor, if the amount possessed is less than an ounce. Possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana is a felony offense. Whether charged as a felony or misdemeanor, a conviction on Drug Possession charges can have serious consequences. A person convicted of possession of marijuana faces up to six (6) months in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. A person convicted of felony drug possession faces up to four (4) years in prison and a $5,000.00 fine. In addition to the legal consequences, a conviction for drug possession can prevent the person from certain educational and employment opportunities.
If you or someone you know has been charged with any form of Drug Possession, it is important that you contact a knowledgeable and experienced Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys as soon as possible. The Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys at Brown Law Offices have extensive experience in handling all types of Drug Possession charges and can assist you in analyzing the facts of your case, identifying applicable defenses and developing an aggressive defense strategy to protect your legal rights.