Empower Yourself, Know Your Rights

Even common items may be considered drug paraphernalia

On Behalf of | Jul 13, 2020 | Drug Offenses |

There are many kinds of drug crimes that you could be accused of, from getting caught with paraphernalia to possessing serious illicit drugs. It’s important to think about what you’d do if you were caught or accused of drug offenses because taking the right actions can make a big difference in your case.

For someone who is young, one of the more likely charges is for drug paraphernalia. Did you know that any equipment that could be used to inject, conceal, inhale or otherwise use illegal drugs could be considered to be paraphernalia, even if it isn’t used for those purposes?

Some common kinds of paraphernalia include:

  • Syringes
  • Rolling papers
  • Bongs
  • Pipes
  • Spoons
  • Kitchen scales

Even if the items you have can be used for other purposes, you may face drug paraphernalia charges if you’re caught with them.

It’s more likely that you’ll face paraphernalia charges if you also have drugs in your possession. For example, if you have syringes as well as cocaine or heroin, then it would be more likely that an officer would link the two instead of thinking that you use syringes for other purposes.

What should you do if you’re accused of possessing drug paraphernalia?

If you are accused of possessing drug paraphernalia, it’s best to stay quiet and not try to explain away the items. Even if you honestly use them for other purposes, now is a good time to let your attorney start building a defense. You are able to remain silent to protect yourself, and you should consider doing so while your attorney handles the case.