Drug Possession & Distribution Defense in Utah
Whether police found a single pill in your pocket or claim you were running a multi-pound operation, a drug charge threatens your freedom, finances, and future. Utah’s Controlled Substances Act (§ 58-37-8) imposes harsh penalties—even for first-time offenders—and a conviction can cost you professional licenses, student aid, housing, and immigration status. Morrise Thompson Foresta steps in immediately to keep a momentary search from becoming a lifelong record.
Why Utah Defendants Choose Our Team
Fourth-Amendment Focus. Traffic stops, apartment raids, and K-9 sniffs are fertile ground for illegal searches. We move fast to suppress evidence seized without probable cause.
Science on Our Side. Faulty field-test kits, contaminated lab instruments, and breakdowns in chain of custody can turn powder into “evidence.” We attack the science and the storage.
Negotiation Leverage. Prosecutors know our record for getting Schedule I–II felonies reduced to misdemeanors, or diverted into drug-court programs that end in dismissal.
Prescription & Digital Forensics. We untangle prescription-fraud cases with pharmacy records and expose undercover-chat transcript gaps in online-distribution stings.
Flat-Fee Clarity. A written, all-inclusive fee lets you focus on recovery and defense—not surprise invoices.
Our Step-by-Step Defense Strategy
Rapid Case Audit – Within hours, we review the affidavit, search warrant, and body-cam footage to spot constitutional flaws.
Independent Investigation – We can interview witnesses, subpoena surveillance video, and document the scene before memories and evidence fade.
Lab & Chain-of-Custody Review – Certified experts re-test substances and track every handoff to uncover contamination or tampering.
Motions & Negotiation – We file to suppress unlawfully seized evidence, then leverage weaknesses for dismissals, reductions, or drug-court placement.
Trial-Ready Advocacy – If the State refuses a fair resolution, we present a clear narrative of lack of knowledge, lawful possession, or investigative misconduct to the jury.
Drug Possession and Distribution - FAQs
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Do I really need an attorney?
When you are charged with a crime, the government has extensive resources all directed at reaching the outcome it wants, and usually that means obtaining as many convictions, the highest fines, and the longest incarcerations as it can reasonably get. Knowledge of law, the legal rules, and a quality investigation are the resources you need to stand up against the government. That is what good lawyers can do for you.
What happens next?
You’ve been charged with a crime, now what? Depending upon the level of the offense there are different processes for taking a case forward. In most cases you will have an initial appearance, where the judge will inform you of the charges and potential penalties. At that hearing the judge may ask you to enter a plea, either guilty or not guilty. At that same hearing the judge might ask what you plan to do about an attorney. That is when you should tell the judge that you are hiring Morrise Thompson. After we have been retained, we will file an appearance of counsel, informing the judge and the prosecutor that you are now represented by our office. Then we will file a demand for discovery, forcing the prosecutor to provide all the evidence they have collected to that point, the police reports, any written statements by witnesses, any recordings, etc. We will review that evidence with you and begin considering what defenses might apply to your case, what motions could be filed, and what other investigations need to be performed.
What’s the difference between “possession” and “intent to distribute”?
Prosecutors look at weight, packaging, cash, scales, and text messages to infer intent. We dismantle those assumptions—demonstrating personal-use quantities, lawful prescriptions, or innocent explanations for everyday items—to keep the charge at the lowest level or get it thrown out entirely.
Call A Drug Possession and Distribution Attorney Now
Don’t wait. The sooner you involve an experienced defense attorney, the better your chances of success. Contact Morrise Thompson Foresta Legal today to protect your future.