How Can We Help?

Get a Free Consultation (401) 324-2992

Cocaine Crimes

Newport RI Criminal Defense Lawyer S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Practice Areas

Client Testimonials

Josh is extremely skilled at what he does, and is a very approachable guy to work with. He is very experience in his work, and has excellent communication, customer service, and eager to help you in any way possible. His team also has very high urgency and customer service skills. I couldn't have imagined a better experience. If I were to ever find myself in need of any legal assistance again, this is the first person I'd call. He was the third or fourth individual I contacted in my search for legal advice, and the urgency, professionalism, good attitude, and incredible customer service of Josh & his colleagues were my deciding factor to go with him. Because I had him him to guide me through these dealings, I had an ironically very nice experience.

Em Lewis

15:42 26 Oct 18

I would recommend Josh Macktaz to anyone that needs help with a dui case ! He put my mind at ease after our first meeting and went over everything he was going to do for me and he did not let me down !!! I can't thank him enough for the outcome of my case and god forbid i ever needed him again he will be my first call ! I highly recommend Mr. Macktaz.

Guy Clausen 3rd

10:24 12 Oct 18

Attorney Macktaz showed excellent communication with me during the entire process. He was very transparent with everything he was doing and needed to get done. I highly reccommend using his services, especially in newport county matters.

aaron amaral

20:03 12 Sep 18

Being from out of state, never getting into any trouble in my life, and being completely terrified, not knowing anything about the judicial system or what was going to happen to me. I was lucky enough to have Josh recommended to me from a friend and I will forever be in debt to the both of them. From day one Josh thoroughly explained everything, reassured me, answered every email with every little question I had so promptly. I knew I was in the best, most capable hands I could be in. He makes you feel like you are his only client when I know just how busy he truly is. He went above and beyond for me, even saving me a trip to court because I am from out of state when he could. He knows the system, and the people within the system like the back of his hand. He is so thorough if there is a mistake that was made he will find it. That’s what he did for me. When I was sure my life was about to be turned upside down, he made something so nerve wracking as painless as possible. I could not have made a better decision by choosing him as my lawyer. I could never write enough good things about him, and I could never thank him enough for being so incredibly good at his job.

Lindsey Spencer

20:34 17 Nov 17

I highly recommend Joshua. He is very professional and explained everything in detail and my options in our first meeting. He did not raise unrealistic expectations and the end result was the "best case scenario" that he laid out for me in the initial consultation. I will be calling him again if I ever need help.

Tim Dawson

15:30 19 Sep 17

‹

›

View Testimonials

Newport RI Criminal Defense Lawyer S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq.

Newport Rhode Island Cocaine Defense Lawyer S. Joshua Macktaz, Esq. provides aggressive and effective representation to individuals facing Cocaine or Crack cocaine related drug offenses in Rhode Island state and federal courts.

If you have been charged with possession, sale, delivery, or distribution of cocaine you need immediate representation by a skilled and experienced Newport, Rhode Island Drug Crimes Defense Attorney.

Table of Contents

As a former Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General from 1993-1997 Attorney Macktaz has extensive experience with felony Cocaine and Crack Cocaine possession, sale, and distribution cases as a prosecutor. Mr. Macktaz uses that knowledge to successfully defend his private clients accused of cocaine and drug related offenses. Before becoming a private Rhode Island Defense Lawyer, Attorney Macktaz lectured in-coming police academy cadets as an AG Prosecutor on proper prosecutions. This unique experience has afforded Mr. Macktaz a wealth of knowledge not readily available to the average Rhode Island Drug Crimes Attorney.

Cocaine is listed under State of Rhode Island General Laws under Food and Drugs Chapter 21-28 as a Schedule II Controlled substance and carries with it the harshest of penalties for possession or distribution of Cocaine or Crack Cocaine.

Penalties and consequences are even more severe if someone is charged for a capital offense or a felony in which the use of force or violence is involved in concurrence with the distribution of cocaine.

Being arrested for or charged with cocaine distribution, sale, or delivery puts an individual in a very serious situation. Whether the law enforcement officers on your case are:

Local police
County Sheriff’s department
State Police, including the highway patrol
FBI (the Federal Bureau of Investigation)
DEA (the federal Drug Enforcement Administration)
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also a federal agency)
The Coast Guard

An individual facing state or federal cocaine distribution charges is in grave need of a highly competent criminal defense lawyer. The war on drugs will roll right over a defendant without legal representation.

As a Schedule II drug, cocaine is known to be highly addictive and extremely lucrative for drug dealers and traffickers. State and federal prosecutors are very eager to show that they’re putting away a lot of people involved in cocaine distribution.

According to the DEA, there were more than 11,400 federal cocaine offenders in the U.S. courts in 2006 alone. More than 97 percent of these offenders were in court facing cocaine distribution charges. The federal system is very strict on individuals and organizations that are alleged to be engaged in cocaine manufacture, import, and distribution/sales/trafficking; the potential prison sentences and fines can be steep

Factors That Affect Your Case

If you have been charged with cocaine distribution, your defense lawyer can tell you about the state drug laws and what you can expect to face as penalties if you’re convicted. Rhode Island State laws for Cocaine are very stringent but the factors that commonly affect the severity of the penalties in both the state and federal systems are:

How much cocaine was allegedly involved
Whether it was powder cocaine or crack cocaine
Whether you are a minor or an adult
Whether any minors (persons under 18) were involved in the alleged incident
Whether the alleged distribution took place near a school or university
Whether any person was seriously injured or killed
Whether this is a first cocaine distribution offense or not
Any prior criminal history you possess

The potential penalties for cocaine distribution include lengthy prison sentences (including life sentences), high fines (up to millions of dollars), and forfeiture of your personal property and real estate.

Rhode Island Penalties for Possession or Distribution of Cocaine are as follows:

Rhode Island Legal Code Section 21-28-4.01, et seq. (Summary)

Possession of Cocaine

Nolo contendere pleas:

100 hrs. community service and drug education program
Up to 1 oz.: 3 yrs. in prison and/or $500 to $5000;
1 oz.-1 kg.: 10-50 yrs. in prison and/or $10,000-$50,000;
Over 1 kg.: 20 yrs. to life in prison and $25,000 to $1,000,000

Sale of Cocaine

Person not drug dependent: life in prison and/or $10,000 to $500,000;
Drug dependent: 30 yrs. in prison and or $3000 to $100,000;
1 kg.: minimum 10-50 yrs. in prison and/or $10,000 to $500,000;
Over 1 kg.: 20 yrs.-life in prison and/or $25,000-$1,000,000;
Sale to minor or 3 yrs. junior: minimum 15 yrs. in prison and up to $500,000;
Within 300 yds. of a school: double penalties

No matter what cocaine distribution or possession charges you’re facing, Rhode Island Defense Attorney Macktaz will fight to minimize the negative outcome of your case ─ negotiating with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced or dismissed, interviewing witnesses and pursuing a thorough investigation of your case. Your attorney’s most critical job is to protect and uphold your constitutionally guaranteed rights at every step in the legal process.