Prince George’s County Drug Lawyer
Drug charges in Prince George’s County carry severe consequences that can alter the course of your life. Whether you are facing a simple possession charge or a more serious allegation such as distribution or manufacturing, the stakes are extraordinarily high. At SoMD Criminal Defense, attorneys Jeremy Widder and Kathryn Batey provide experienced, strategic drug charge defense throughout Prince George’s County from our Oxon Hill office. As a former Assistant State’s Attorney who spent nine years prosecuting cases in Southern Maryland — including more than 60 jury trials — Jeremy understands precisely how the State builds drug cases and where those cases are vulnerable. Kathryn, a former Deputy District Public Defender and Super Lawyers 2025 honoree admitted in both Maryland and Virginia, brings tenacious defense advocacy to every client. If you are facing drug charges in PG County, call (301) 818-0389 for a free consultation.
Drug Charges in Maryland
Maryland law categorizes controlled dangerous substances (CDS) into five schedules based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Drug charges in Prince George’s County can take many forms, and understanding the specific charge you face is critical to mounting an effective defense.
Possession — Simple possession means knowingly having a controlled substance for personal use. While possession of small amounts may be charged as a misdemeanor, the penalties still include potential jail time and a permanent criminal record.
Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) — When law enforcement believes the quantity, packaging, or surrounding circumstances suggest you intended to sell or distribute drugs, the charges escalate dramatically. PWID is a felony carrying years in prison. Prosecutors often rely on factors such as large quantities, baggies, scales, and large amounts of cash to argue intent.
Distribution — Actual sale or delivery of a controlled substance is treated as a serious felony. Fentanyl distribution cases carry enhanced penalties under Maryland law given the ongoing opioid crisis, and Prince George’s County prosecutors pursue these cases with particular intensity.
Manufacturing — Operating or maintaining a facility for producing controlled substances is among the most severely punished drug offenses in Maryland.
Marijuana — While Maryland legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over, there remain significant criminal implications. Possession of amounts exceeding legal limits, distribution without a license, and sales to minors all carry criminal penalties. Understanding where the legal line falls is essential.
The differences between possession and distribution charges can determine whether you face a misdemeanor or a felony — and whether months or years of incarceration are on the table.
How We Defend Drug Cases in Prince George’s County
Every drug case begins with law enforcement contact, and that contact must comply with your constitutional rights. Our defense strategies target every stage of the investigation and prosecution.
Challenging the Traffic Stop — Many drug cases in PG County begin with a traffic stop. If police lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause to initiate the stop, any evidence discovered as a result may be suppressed. We scrutinize dashcam footage, police reports, and the stated basis for the stop.
Challenging the Search (Fourth Amendment) — The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. Whether police searched your vehicle, your home, or your person, they must have had legal authority to do so. Warrantless searches require specific exceptions — consent, plain view, search incident to arrest, or exigent circumstances. We file motions to suppress evidence obtained through unlawful searches.
Chain of Custody — The State must establish that the drugs introduced at trial are the same substances recovered from the scene. Any break in the chain of custody can undermine the prosecution’s case.
Constructive vs. Actual Possession — If drugs were not found directly on your person, the State must prove constructive possession — that you knew the drugs were present and had the ability and intent to exercise control over them. This is a significantly harder burden, especially in vehicles or residences with multiple occupants.
Confidential Informant Reliability — Many PG County drug investigations rely on confidential informants. We challenge the reliability and credibility of informants, investigate potential motives for fabrication, and demand disclosure of relevant information.
Entrapment — When law enforcement induces someone to commit a crime they would not otherwise have committed, entrapment is a viable defense.
Body Camera and Surveillance Evidence — We obtain and review all available video evidence, including officer body cameras and any surveillance footage, to verify or challenge the prosecution’s narrative.
Drug cases in Prince George’s County are heard in the PG County District Court — with locations in both Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro — and the Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro. We regularly appear in all of these courtrooms and understand the procedures, judges, and prosecutors in each venue.
Drug Court and Treatment Alternatives
Prince George’s County offers a Drug Court program designed to provide treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for eligible defendants. Drug Court combines intensive supervision, substance abuse treatment, frequent drug testing, and regular court appearances to address the underlying issues that contribute to drug-related offenses.
Additional diversion options may be available depending on the circumstances of your case, your criminal history, and the specific charges you face. Probation before judgment (PBJ) may also be an option in certain drug cases — a PBJ results in no conviction on your record despite a finding of guilt, which can be critical for protecting your future.
We evaluate every available alternative for our clients and advocate for outcomes that prioritize treatment and rehabilitation when appropriate.
Consequences of a Drug Conviction
A drug conviction in Prince George’s County can result in far more than jail time. The collateral consequences of a drug conviction are wide-ranging and long-lasting.
Incarceration and Probation — Depending on the charge, you may face anywhere from months to decades of incarceration, followed by years of supervised probation with strict conditions.
Fines — Drug convictions carry substantial fines that can reach tens of thousands of dollars for distribution and manufacturing offenses.
Criminal Record — A drug conviction creates a permanent record that follows you for life, affecting employment opportunities, housing applications, educational financial aid, and professional advancement.
Professional Licensing — Healthcare workers, educators, government employees, and many other professionals may lose their licenses or certifications as a result of a drug conviction.
Immigration Consequences — Drug convictions can trigger deportation proceedings, prevent naturalization, and result in inadmissibility for non-citizens. Even lawful permanent residents can face removal based on certain drug convictions.
Driver’s License Suspension — Maryland law provides for driver’s license suspension following certain drug convictions, creating practical difficulties for work, family obligations, and daily life.
Why Choose SoMD Criminal Defense
When you hire SoMD Criminal Defense, you get a legal team that understands drug cases from the inside. Jeremy Widder spent nine years as an Assistant State’s Attorney, giving him firsthand knowledge of how prosecutors build drug cases, what evidence they rely on, and where their cases are weakest. That former prosecutor perspective, combined with experience in more than 60 jury trials, allows our team to identify strategic opportunities that other attorneys may miss. Jeremy is a Georgetown Law graduate recognized on the Daily Record’s Criminal Law Power List 2024 and serves as an adjunct trial advocacy coach at Georgetown, American University, and Temple University law schools.
Kathryn Batey, an American University Washington College of Law graduate, brings her experience as a former Deputy District Public Defender to every case. Recognized as a Super Lawyers 2025 honoree and admitted to practice in both Maryland and Virginia, Kathryn provides determined and detail-oriented advocacy.
Together, we offer strategic, experienced defense for drug charges throughout Prince George’s County — from our Oxon Hill office located at 137 National Plaza, Suite 300, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. We also serve clients from our White Plains office at 10665 Stanhaven Place, Suite 3117, White Plains, MD 20695.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalties for drug possession in PG County?
Penalties for drug possession in Prince George’s County depend on the substance and schedule involved. Simple possession of a non-marijuana CDS is a misdemeanor carrying up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Possession of larger quantities or certain substances can trigger enhanced penalties. A knowledgeable drug defense attorney can evaluate the specific charges you face and determine the best path forward.
Can drug charges be dropped in Prince George’s County?
Yes, drug charges can be dropped or dismissed in Prince George’s County. Common reasons include suppression of evidence due to an illegal search, insufficient evidence to prove possession or intent, problems with the chain of custody, or issues with confidential informant testimony. An experienced defense attorney reviews every element of the State’s case to identify grounds for dismissal.
What is the difference between possession and distribution?
Possession means having a controlled substance for personal use, while distribution involves selling, delivering, or transferring drugs to another person. Distribution is a felony carrying significantly harsher penalties. The distinction between the two charges often comes down to the quantity of drugs, how they were packaged, and the presence of items like scales, baggies, or large amounts of cash.
Is marijuana still illegal in Maryland?
Recreational marijuana is legal for adults 21 and over in Maryland, but there are still criminal penalties for possessing amounts above the legal threshold, distributing marijuana without a license, selling to minors, and operating a vehicle under the influence. Learn more about Maryland’s current marijuana laws.
Contact a Prince George’s County Drug Lawyer Today
If you are facing drug charges in Prince George’s County, do not wait to seek experienced legal counsel. The sooner an attorney begins reviewing your case, the more options may be available to you. Contact SoMD Criminal Defense today at (301) 818-0389 for a free consultation. We defend clients in Upper Marlboro, Bowie, Oxon Hill, Hyattsville, College Park, Laurel, Greenbelt, and throughout all of Prince George’s County.
