Calgary Drug Charges Lawyer
The Canadian criminal justice system takes drug charges very seriously — from small-scale drug possession charges to multimillion-dollar drug trafficking operations. If convicted, these charges can result in long prison sentences, including life imprisonment. Developing a successful defence in drug prosecutions requires highly specialized knowledge of general criminal law since investigations into drug-related charges are highly complex. To ensure that you receive the best outcome in your case, nothing beats experience.
Patrick C Fagan, K.C. has that experience. Over the last three decades, he has built a long record of not only defending but winning drug prosecution cases. Patrick C Fagan, K.C. is the only drug charges lawyer in Canada with experience working as Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) drug investigator — giving him unparalleled experience defending clients in court against drug charges.
Defending Calgary Drug Charges
Drug charges can result in long prison sentences, ranging from several years to life imprisonment. Therefore, it is important to retain an experienced drug charges lawyer to help develop a defence strategy to obtain the best verdict in your case. Commonly prosecuted drug charges include:
- Drug possession
- Drug possession for the purpose of trafficking
- Drug trafficking
- Drug production
The police may investigate a suspected drug charge based on an anonymous tip, the suspicious activity observed during a routine investigation or traffic stop, or lengthy drug investigations. These investigations can span many months and may use undercover informants, video and telephone surveillance, authorized searches, and seizures.
Defending drug prosecutions is a complex endeavour and requires specialized knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, among others. Patrick C Fagan, K.C. has that knowledge. With more than three decades of experience tearing apart drug charges, Patrick C Fagan, K.C. has successfully defended clients against a wide range of drug charges, including drug possession, drug trafficking, and drug production.
Drug Possession
Drug possession is one of many drug-related charges and refers to the possession of an illegal substance listed under the CDSA in your control. Even if you did not physically possess the substance at the time of the arrest, you could still be charged with drug possession if you:
- Kept the substance with someone else or at another place with the person’s consent and knowledge (constructive possession)
- Kept the substance with someone else or at another place with all persons’ consent and knowledge (joint possession)
Drug Trafficking
Compared to simple drug possession charges, drug trafficking charges carry much harsher penalties ranging from several years in prison to life sentences. These charges arise when an individual or individuals sell, administer, give, transfer, transport, send, or deliver an illegal substance listed under the CDSA.
Drug Production
Another common drug-related charge that the Law Office of Patrick C Fagan, K.C. defends is drug production, which refers to manufacturing, synthesizing, cultivating, harvesting, or otherwise obtaining the substance by a process or method. The CDSA lists several substances that are illegal to produce, including cocaine, cannabis, opioids, and methamphetamine.
35 Years of Court Room Experience
As one of the foremost drug charges lawyers in Canada with more than three decades of experience defending clients against drug charges, Patrick C Fagan, K.C. has unparalleled expertise in ripping apart drug prosecutions— from small-scale drug possession charges to high-profile drug trafficking operations.
Alleged cross-provincial drug ring – verdict: not guilty
Facing a lengthy prison sentence for multiple drug charges, including possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, the client retained Patrick C Fagan, K.C., to defend him in court following an 18-month police investigation into a large drug ring that he was allegedly part of.
By successfully calling evidence to raise a reasonable doubt as to his client’s guilt, Patrick C Fagan, K.C. was successful in ripping apart the prosecution’s case and obtaining an outright verdict of not guilty.
$8 million drug seizure – verdict: not guilty
The police found around 66 kilograms of cocaine and 30 kilograms of methamphetamine inside a van as part of a three-month-long drug trafficking investigation into drug trafficking. The two men were arrested at the scene and sought the legal services of Patrick C Fagan, K.C., to help defend them against drug possession charges with lengthy prison sentences of up to 14 years. After a hard-fought, two-week-long trial, Patrick C Fagan, K.C. secured verdicts of not guilty on all charges.
What are the Potential Consequences of a Calgary Drug Charge?
A drug charge can result in hefty penalties depending on the severity of the crime, the substance or substances in question, and previous criminal history, among other factors.
All drug-related charges carry the real possibility of jail time. More serious charges, such as drug production and drug trafficking, can lead to life imprisonment. But the penalties for drug possession can also be significant, especially if the drug in question is considered a “hard drug” such as cocaine, heroin, morphine, or opium, and/or if the drug is found in large quantities.
Additionally, a conviction for a drug charge can have far-reaching negative consequences. Many suffer severe reputational consequences in their social network and face significant difficulties in finding employment. In many cases, drug charges can impact international travel and other legal matters, such as immigration or child custody/access cases.
How Patrick C Fagan, K.C. Can Help You
With long-standing experience winning drug prosecutions, Patrick C Fagan, K.C. knows how to defend clients against any type of drug charge ranging from simple drug possession charges to multimillion-dollar drug trafficking charges. As the only drug charges lawyer in Canada with experience working as an RCMP drug investigator, Patrick C Fagan, K.C. has unparalleled expertise in successfully crafting defence strategies to obtain the best verdicts for his clients. To learn more about how Patrick C. Fagan, K.C. can help you, call 403-517-1777 or contact the office at info@patrickfagan.com.