Recently police in Lincoln County served and executed a search warrant at a home in Newport, Oregon. This residence happened to be one-half block from a local high school. In the search, officers from the Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team claimed that they found methamphetamine, a firearm, packaging materials and other drug paraphernalia.
As a result of the search, a 35-year-old man was hit with various drug charges. This man has been charged with possession of meth, prescription narcotics and oxycodone. Furthermore, this man is facing charges of frequenting a place where drugs are used, delivery of meth within 1,000 feet of a school and manufacturing meth within 1,000 feet of a school. Two other individuals who were also living at the residence are facing similar drug charges.
In Oregon, drug charges can carry serious penalties, including long prison sentences. Drug convictions leave a person with a criminal record, making it difficult for that person to find a job or housing in the future. Certain circumstances can enhance the penalties that prosecutors will seek in a particular case. These circumstances include whether children were targeted, the type of drugs involved, whether there was the intent to distribute and, like in this case, if drug activity took place near a school. In each of these cases, prosecutors may seek harsher penalties.
People's criminal records can also affect the types of charges that people will face. Typically, a first offense results in fewer punishments than subsequent drug offenses. A second or third offense may result in a longer prison sentence. With all these considerations, drug offense cases can become complex. It is important for those facing drug charges to not only understand what exactly they are being charged with, but also how enhancing factors can affect sentencing.
Source: The Oregonian, "Newport residents arrested, charged with drug offenses," Dec. 26, 2012
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