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Drug Crimes State drug charges can result in long prison terms, but usually present less severe penalties and less severe minimum mandatory sentences than federal drug charges. While federal drug investigations are often conducted over a long period of time, arrests for state drug crimes are usually the result of very short investigations.  State drug crimes most often result in an arrest: When the police stop a car for a traffic infraction, broken tail light, DUI, etc.; After the sale of drugs to an undercover police officer; Because of information provided by an informant; or After an arrest for a quality of life violation such as disorderly conduct or prostitution. Probable cause is needed to make an arrest for illegal drugs.  Frequently, after a car is stopped by the police for a minor traffic violation, such as running a red light, speeding, or a broken tail light, the police officer will ask for permission to search the car.  Unfortunately, many people arrested for illegal drugs readily grant permission to search the car.  Once permission is given to the police officer to search the car, the police officer does not need probable cause and any illegal drugs found in the car are admissible as evidence against the defendant. Sometimes, drugs may be found in the car which actually belonged to a passenger and not the owner or driver of the car and yet the driver may be arrested for possession of drugs even though the driver did not know that the passenger brought drugs in the car.  Sometimes, the drugs may belong to the driver and a passenger may be arrested.  A drug lawyer can fight to protect your rights and seek to have the drug possession charges dismissed. State drug charges are usually for: Possession of illegal drugs Possession with intent to distribute illegal drugs Use of illegal narcotics Sale or distribution illegal drugs Transportation or trafficking of illegal drugs within city, county or state limits Drug Manufacturing Sale of illegally obtained prescription drugs Use of a legally obtained prescription drugs Illegal sale of legally prescribed drugs Drug lawyers usually represent people arrested for the above types of drug crimes which involve the following illegal drugs and legal prescription drugs: Cocaine Crack cocaine (a Schedule II substance) GHB Heroin Marijuana Methamphetamines ("crystal meth" or "meth") Morphine Oxycontin  PCP Other illegal prescription drugs Arrests and prosecutions for drug crimes involve many complicated issues for which you need an experienced drug lawyer.  If you have been arrested for a drug crime or believe that you may be arrested soon, call for a free initial consultation immediately with a drug lawyer.