Drug Distribution Attorney in Troy

Troy’s Drug Defense Team Includes Former Prosecutors Who Built These Cases

A drug distribution charge in Ohio is a felony matter prosecuted under ORC 2925.03, the state’s drug trafficking statute. Prison time, substantial fines, and a permanent criminal record are all on the table. At Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co., we defend clients facing these charges in Troy and throughout Miami County, and we’ve been doing it since 1996.

Our team includes former prosecutors and public defenders. That background means we understand how the state builds a drug distribution case and where those cases can be challenged. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we bring courtroom-level knowledge to every client we represent.

If you or someone you know is facing a drug distribution or trafficking charge in Troy, contact us now for a free consultation. Call (937) 400-3170 or reach us through our online contact form.

Why Troy Defendants Choose Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co.

Our former prosecutors have assembled cases like the one you’re now facing. They know the evidence the state relies on, the arguments it finds persuasive, and the points where a distribution charge can be contested. That perspective comes from having stood on the other side of the courtroom.

We appear regularly in the Miami County Court of Common Pleas, which means we’re familiar with local procedures, how cases move through the docket, and how prosecutors in Miami County approach drug trafficking matters.

Our credentials reflect a consistent record of recognition:

• Best Law Firm in Troy: Voted best law firm in Troy every year since 2010
• AV Peer Review Rating: The highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability awarded through peer review
• Super Lawyers Recognition: Firm attorneys have received Super Lawyers recognition
• Federal Court Admission: We’re admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, relevant when distribution allegations escalate to federal charges

If an office visit isn’t possible, we come to you. Our attorneys arrange jail visits at the Miami County Jail and offer home and hospital visits when clients can’t travel.

How Ohio Law Treats Drug Distribution

Ohio doesn’t have a standalone drug distribution statute. Conduct commonly called drug distribution is charged under ORC 2925.03, which covers knowingly selling, offering to sell, preparing for shipment, transporting, delivering, or distributing a controlled substance. The term most people use is “drug distribution,” but the charge on the indictment is drug trafficking.

What separates a trafficking charge from simple possession under ORC 2925.11 is intent. Possession requires only that a person had a controlled substance. Trafficking requires evidence of intent to sell or transfer, which prosecutors typically build from circumstantial evidence: quantity, packaging, digital scales, cash, or statements from informants. No witnessed transaction is necessary.

The felony degree depends on the controlled substance and the amount involved. Trafficking less than the bulk amount of a Schedule I or II substance is a fourth-degree felony. The charge rises to a third-degree felony at or above the bulk amount, a second-degree felony with mandatory prison at five to fifty times the bulk amount, and a first-degree felony at fifty times the bulk amount or more.

Penalties & Collateral Consequences

Ohio imposes mandatory prison terms on higher-level felony drug cases and fines reaching $20,000 at the first-degree felony level. Even a fifth-degree felony conviction carries possible prison time and creates a permanent criminal record. A major drug offender designation, triggered by very large quantities, can result in mandatory maximum prison terms.

Conduct near a school zone or involving a minor can elevate the charge and trigger aggravated trafficking designations. Beyond any sentence, a felony drug conviction can affect employment, professional licenses, housing applications, firearm rights, and in some circumstances immigration status. Depending on the offense degree and prior record, expungement eligibility may be limited or unavailable.

How We Defend Drug Distribution Charges

We start by evaluating how the investigation unfolded from the initial contact with law enforcement through the filing of charges. The Fourth Amendment governs stops, searches, and the collection of evidence. When law enforcement didn’t follow the rules, whether by conducting a warrantless search without a valid exception, failing to obtain a required warrant, or exceeding the scope of consent, suppression of that evidence is a legitimate defense avenue. Suppressed evidence can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.

Intent to distribute is usually circumstantial, which means the quality of the evidence matters as much as the quantity. We scrutinize how substances were packaged, how lab testing was conducted, and how informant or witness statements were obtained. Challenges to informant credibility and the reliability of lab analysis are well-established defense strategies in these cases.

Not every case goes to trial, and not every case should. Some are best resolved through negotiation toward reduced charges or alternative sentencing. We discuss realistic options with each client based on their specific facts and goals, and we don’t push a path that doesn’t fit the situation.

Start Your Defense Today

The earlier you involve defense counsel, the more options may remain open. Early representation can protect your rights at bond hearings, limit what investigators can use against you, and give us time to evaluate the evidence before any critical decisions are made. Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co. offers free consultations for drug distribution and trafficking cases in Troy. We can meet at our office, at the Miami County Jail, or at your home or hospital if you can’t come to us.

Call (937) 400-3170 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a drug distribution attorney in Troy.