Little Rock Drug Crime Lawyer
Arkansas drug laws can lead to serious consequences, even for small amounts or first-time offenses. These cases often involve confusing charges, complicated classification levels, and strict procedures that can make things feel even more stressful.
Your Little Rock drug crime lawyer from ACS Criminal Law brings more than 75 years of combined experience. Your criminal defense lawyer is available 24 hours a day to help you understand what is happening and what to do next. Reach out today to talk with a team that knows how to fight for you.
How Arkansas Classifies Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances
Arkansas separates drug crimes by both the type of substance and how much was found. Even a minor charge can carry long-term penalties if the substance is in a higher Schedule. A Little Rock drug crime attorney from ACS Criminal Law will explain whether your case involves possession, distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking charges.
What Arkansas Drug Schedules Mean for Your Case
Arkansas follows a Scheduling system that mirrors federal law but also includes a few state-specific classifications. For example, marijuana is placed in its own category as a Schedule VI substance under Arkansas law, while drugs like cocaine and opioids fall into Schedule II. The higher the Schedule, the more severe the potential consequences.
Under Arkansas’ Uniform Controlled Substances Act, the outcome of your case depends on three main things: the Schedule of the drug, how much was involved, and what law enforcement believes you intended to do with it. Charges can shift quickly from possession to delivery or trafficking if police find certain items, like scales or packaging, alongside the drugs.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Drug Charges in Arkansas
Misdemeanor charges in Arkansas are usually tied to smaller amounts of lower-Schedule substances, like marijuana or prescription pills without a valid script. These charges still carry jail time and fines, but they are often eligible for diversion programs or record sealing later on. Most first-time possession cases start here.
Felony charges, on the other hand, come into play when prosecutors see signs of intent to sell, past convictions, or higher-level substances. A simple traffic stop can turn into a felony arrest if the drugs are packaged for sale or found with paraphernalia like scales or baggies. A Little Rock drug crime attorney with ACS Criminal Law knows how to challenge those assumptions and fight back when charges are unfairly increased.
Types of Drug Offenses Prosecuted in Little Rock Courts
Drug charges in Little Rock can range from simple possession to large-scale trafficking. Prosecutors in Pulaski County regularly file charges involving marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, opioids, and non-prescribed medications. These cases often start with a traffic stop or search and include everything from prescription fraud to possession with intent to deliver. Charges involving drug paraphernalia, forged prescriptions, or driving while impaired (DWI) by a controlled substance are also common.
Your Little Rock drug crime lawyer with ACS Criminal Law understands how local courts treat each type of case. We look at how the arrest happened, what evidence the state has, and whether the charge fits the facts. Some clients face charges for holding a small amount of marijuana, while others are accused of selling or transporting larger quantities of meth or fentanyl. No matter the situation, we build a defense based on the client’s goals, background, and the specific charges they are up against.
What to Expect After a Drug Arrest in Arkansas
After an arrest, the next few hours and days are critical to your defense. You may face questioning, bail decisions, and court appearances before charges are even finalized. Our team can help protect your rights from the moment of arrest and clarify how implied consent and procedural fairness apply to drug searches.
Booking, Arraignment, and First Court Appearance
Under Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 8.1, anyone arrested must be brought before a judge without unnecessary delay. That first court appearance is known as an arraignment, and it sets the tone for the case. A judge reviews the charges, explains your rights, and decides whether to set bail or keep you in custody.
This is also when a plea is typically entered. Even if formal charges have not yet been filed by the prosecutor, the arraignment moves quickly. Having legal guidance at this stage helps make sure nothing is missed or misunderstood in the early stages.
Drug Testing, Search Warrants, and Your Constitutional Rights
A big part of drug cases involves how evidence is collected. If officers searched your car, home, or person without a warrant, that search has to meet specific legal standards. Warrantless searches can be legal in certain situations, but there are clear limits.
Implied consent laws under Arkansas Code § 5-65-202 come into play when drug testing is involved. In Arkansas, refusing a test can sometimes lead to extra penalties, but the state still has to prove that consent was legally obtained. If there is confusion about what was said or signed, the evidence may be challenged in court.
What Happens Between Arrest and Formal Charging
After an arrest, the prosecutor reviews the case file and decides which charges, if any, should move forward. This process is not always immediate. Prosecutors may ask for more information, delay a decision, or file lesser charges based on what the evidence shows.
We pay close attention to what happens during this window of time. If there are gaps in the case or signs that your rights were violated, we raise those concerns early. In some cases, this results in reduced charges or even dismissal before trial.
Facts to Document After a Drug-Related Arrest in Arkansas
Documentation is one of the most effective ways to defend a drug charge. The more records you can preserve, the more defenses we can develop. While your case may not involve a catastrophic injury, the stakes are just as high. Your freedom and your future are both on the line. Here are some of the most important documents and information we need to protect after your arrest:
Arrest report
Police statements
Medical treatment records (if force was used)
Search warrant copy
Property inventory list
Text message screenshots
Location tracking logs
Evidence bag tags
Witness names
We review every item with care and context to build your defense. In many cases, small inconsistencies or officer errors can lead to key evidence being thrown out. If your rights were violated, the charges may be reduced or even dismissed altogether.
How We Defend Against Complex Arkansas Cases
Some cases involve higher penalties because of where the alleged offense occurred. Schools, parks, and even churches are often treated as “enhancement zones.”
Defending Charges Involving Drug-Free Zones and Sentencing Enhancements
Under Arkansas Code § 5-64-411 penalties increase when a drug offense happens near a school, park, church, or similar protected area. Prosecutors only have to show that the location fell within the enhancement radius, even if the accused did not intend to be in that zone.
Our defense focuses on questioning how the location was measured and whether the government can prove the exact distance. We use official maps, GPS records, and cross-examination of officers to challenge the enhancement if the evidence is thin or unreliable.
Building a Defense Based on Entrapment or Procedural Violation
Entrapment happens when law enforcement pushes someone into committing a crime they would not otherwise commit. It is a valid defense when undercover operations cross the line into coercion. We listen carefully to the facts because small details about conversations and conduct matter a lot in entrapment cases.
Beyond entrapment, we also challenge how evidence was gathered. If police violated search warrant rules or mishandled the chain of custody, we can ask the court to throw that evidence out. Suppression hearings often make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal.
Challenging Constructive Possession in Vehicle or Shared Space Arrests
Constructive possession means the state is not claiming drugs were found directly on someone, but nearby, like in a car or shared apartment. Prosecutors must show both knowledge of the drugs and control over the space where they were found. This can be a tall order, especially in multi-tenant buildings or vehicles with multiple passengers.
We show when access is shared, when other people have control of the area, or when no clear link to the drugs exists. Juries do not like guessing games. We highlight the reasonable doubts that exist whenever ownership or knowledge is unclear.
When Juveniles Are Charged With Drug Offenses in Arkansas
When a teenager is arrested on a drug charge, everything moves fast, and it can feel overwhelming. Arkansas usually handles these cases in juvenile court, but depending on the situation, some get transferred to adult court. The focus is supposed to be on second chances, not jail time, but that only happens when the right steps are taken early. While a motorcycle accident might land in civil court, juvenile drug charges follow the same tough criminal procedures as adult cases. Here are some of the big things that can influence what happens next:
Age of offender
Prior juvenile record
Type and quantity of drug
Where arrest occurred
Whether a weapon was involved
Gang enhancement allegation
Intent to sell vs. personal use
Parent or guardian cooperation
Juvenile probation history
Our goal is to protect the future and keep things from getting worse than they need to be. We push for treatment, not punishment, whenever the law gives us that opportunity. Whether that means working out a diversion agreement, helping a family through a school-based rehab plan, or sealing the record after a resolution, we stay focused on the long term, not just what happens in court next week.
Talk to a Drug Crime Lawyer in Little Rock Who Knows How to Challenge State Charges
A drug crime attorney in Little Rock from ACS Criminal Law will evaluate your charges, any search or seizure details, and whether enhancements may apply. We represent both adults and juveniles and fight for our clients in every district courtroom across Arkansas. For a free consultation about your case, contact us today and speak with a defense team that knows how to protect your rights.
