Joshua A. Lopez, Esq.

Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Maricopa County

Smart Defense. Strong Results.

Attorney Josh

Chandler Drug Crimes Lawyer

Drug charges in Chandler often arise from traffic stops on the Loop 101 and 202 freeways, prescription drug violations, and residential enforcement actions. For Chandler’s substantial professional workforce—particularly those in the technology sector requiring security clearances—drug convictions create devastating consequences including clearance revocation, job loss, and permanent career barriers. Understanding Arizona’s drug laws and available alternatives like Proposition 200 treatment diversion is critical to protecting your future.

Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients throughout Chandler facing drug charges.

→ For comprehensive Arizona drug law information, see: Arizona Drug Crimes

Drug Classifications Under Arizona Law

Dangerous Drugs (ARS § 13-3407)

Includes methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy (MDMA), LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and most synthetic drugs.

Offense	Classification	Penalty Range
Personal possession	Class 4 Felony	1.5 – 3.75 years
Possession for sale	Class 2 Felony	4 – 10 years
Manufacturing	Class 2 Felony	4 – 10 years
Transportation for sale	Class 2 Felony	4 – 10 years

Narcotic Drugs (ARS § 13-3408)

Includes heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and opium derivatives.

Offense	Classification	Penalty Range
Personal possession	Class 4 Felony	1.5 – 3.75 years
Possession for sale	Class 2 Felony	4 – 10 years
Manufacturing	Class 2 Felony	4 – 10 years
Transportation for sale	Class 2 Felony	4 – 10 years

Marijuana (ARS § 13-3405)

For amounts exceeding Proposition 207 legal limits.

Offense	Classification	Penalty Range
Possession over legal limit	Class 6 Felony	4 months – 2 years
Possession for sale	Class 4 Felony	1.5 – 3.75 years
Production for sale	Class 5 Felony	6 months – 2.5 years

Prescription Drugs Without Valid Prescription

Offense	Classification
Possession of prescription-only drug	Class 1 Misdemeanor
Possession of Schedule III-V controlled substance	Class 1 Misdemeanor
Fraudulently obtaining prescription	Class 6 Felony

Common Drug Scenarios in Chandler

Freeway Traffic Stops

Major highways through Chandler generate drug discoveries:

Loop 101 (Price Freeway) — Patrol stops and interdiction
Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) — Southern route enforcement
Odor of marijuana leading to vehicle searches
Plain view discoveries during traffic stops
Consent searches revealing contraband

Prescription Drug Offenses

Common in Chandler’s professional community:

Possession of controlled substances without valid prescription
Using another person’s prescription medications
Doctor shopping for multiple prescriptions
Possession of prescription drugs in unmarked containers

Marijuana Violations

Even after Proposition 207 legalization:

Possession over 1 ounce (28.3 grams)
Concentrate over 5 grams
More than 6 plants per person
Possession by anyone under 21
Sales without state license
Public consumption

Residential Enforcement

Investigations in Chandler neighborhoods:

Search warrant execution
Drug activity complaints leading to investigation
Probation/parole searches discovering drugs

Threshold Amounts (Presumption of Sales)

Arizona establishes amounts creating legal presumption of possession for sale:

Substance	Threshold Amount
Methamphetamine	9 grams
Cocaine powder	9 grams
Cocaine base (crack)	750 milligrams
Heroin	1 gram
Fentanyl	1 gram
PCP	4 grams or 50 milliliters
LSD	½ milliliter or 50 dosage units
Marijuana	2 pounds

Amounts at or above threshold trigger Class 2 Felony charges for possession for sale.

Proposition 200 Treatment Alternative

Arizona’s Proposition 200 provides mandatory probation and treatment for eligible first and second personal possession offenses.

Eligibility Requirements

Personal use possession only — Not possession for sale
First or second offense — Third offense not eligible
Not methamphetamine — Meth specifically excluded from Prop 200
No violence involved

Proposition 200 Benefits

Probation mandated — Cannot be sentenced to prison
Drug treatment required — Court-ordered program
Avoids incarceration upon successful completion
Addresses underlying issues

Professional Consequences in Chandler

Security Clearance Impact

Drug offenses are particularly damaging to security clearances:

Immediate reporting requirement — Must report arrest
Drug use concerns — Raises serious character questions
Judgment issues — Drug involvement questions reliability
Clearance revocation — Common outcome for drug convictions
Career destruction — Many Chandler tech jobs require clearances

Professional Licensing

Drug convictions affect licensed professionals:

Healthcare workers face board action
Financial professionals face licensing issues
Teachers face certification problems
Engineers may face board review

Employment Consequences

Many employers conduct drug testing and background checks
Conviction often results in termination
Background check failures for future positions
Technology sector particularly strict about drug history

Understanding Drug Charges

Possession vs. Possession for Sale

Key distinction affects penalties:

Personal possession — Typically Class 4 Felony, Prop 200 eligible
Possession for sale — Class 2 Felony, mandatory prison possible

Factors Indicating Sales

Prosecutors use these factors to charge sales:

Amount exceeds threshold quantities
Packaging materials (baggies, scales)
Large amounts of cash
Text messages discussing sales
Multiple phones
Location (known drug area)

Challenging Sales Charges

Defense focuses on:

Amount consistent with personal use
No sales paraphernalia
No financial evidence of dealing
User-level packaging

Defense Strategies

Fourth Amendment Violations

Challenging the legality of search and seizure:

Was the traffic stop legally justified?
Did probable cause exist for search?
Was consent to search truly voluntary?
Did police exceed scope of warrant or consent?

Illegally obtained evidence must be suppressed.

Lack of Knowledge

You didn’t know drugs were present:

Drugs belonged to another person
Borrowed vehicle with hidden drugs
Passenger’s drugs in your car
Package or bag contents unknown

Lack of Possession

Challenging actual possession:

Multiple people had access to location
Constructive possession not established
No connection between you and drugs
Mere presence near drugs insufficient

Challenging Drug Identification

The substance must be properly identified:

Lab testing required (field tests insufficient)
Chain of custody issues
Substance may not be what police claim
Weight calculations questionable

Prescription Validity

For prescription drug charges:

Valid prescription exists
Acting within prescription scope
Prescription was current

Chandler Courts

Chandler Municipal Court

Location: 200 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (480) 782-4900

Handles some misdemeanor drug offenses including prescription drug possession violations.

Southeast Regional Superior Court

Location: 222 E. Javelina Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210

Handles felony drug charges including dangerous drug possession, narcotic possession, and possession for sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a drug conviction affect my security clearance?

Almost certainly yes. Drug offenses raise serious concerns about judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. Clearance revocation is a common outcome, which typically means job loss in Chandler’s technology sector.

Can I get treatment instead of jail for drug possession?

For eligible first and second personal possession offenses, Proposition 200 mandates probation with treatment rather than prison. Methamphetamine offenses are specifically excluded from eligibility.

What if the drugs weren’t mine?

Lack of knowledge and possession are valid defenses. Prosecution must prove you knew about the drugs and exercised control over them. Mere presence near drugs is insufficient.

Is marijuana legal in Chandler?

For adults 21+, yes within limits: 1 ounce flower, 5 grams concentrate, 6 plants. However, possession over limits, under-21 possession, public consumption, and sales without license remain illegal.

How does a drug conviction affect employment?

Severely in Chandler. Technology employers conduct background checks and often require security clearances. Drug convictions typically result in termination and difficulty finding future employment in the sector.

Can drug charges be expunged in Arizona?

Arizona doesn’t have traditional expungement. You may be eligible to have convictions “set aside” after completing your sentence. For marijuana offenses now legal under Prop 207, actual expungement may be available.

Contact a Chandler Drug Defense Attorney

Drug charges threaten your freedom, career, security clearance, and professional licenses. Understanding available defenses and alternative programs can significantly affect outcomes.

Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients facing drug charges throughout Chandler.

Scottsdale Office:
6991 East Camelback Rd, Suite D-300
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Phoenix Office:
2601 N 3rd Street, Suite 301
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Call (480) 386-1824 for a free consultation.