Possession with Intent to Supply

How our possession with intent to supply solicitors can help you

Our criminal defence team are experienced in dealing with possession to supply illegal drugs cases. We will step in straightaway to ensure you have an expert lawyer on your side, providing you with the advice you need for interviews and the strongest possible defence.

We will check to see whether the authorities have complied with the rules or whether there is scope to ask for the case against you to be dropped because of procedural irregularities.

We always hold the prosecution to the highest standards of proof, and we will do all we can to protect your interests and secure a not-guilty judgment on your behalf.  We provide a full range of criminal defence services for possession with intent to supply cases, including:

• Representing you during interviews under caution
• Advising you on the strength or weakness of the case against you
• Discussing any possible mitigating factors
• Discussing your intended plea

We provide 24-hour police station representation. Our duty solicitors and police station lawyers offer free legal advice at the police station if you are being held, as well as at court and in prison.

Stephen Rimmer LLP is one of the few law firms based in East Sussex which is authorised by the Legal Aid Agency to carry out Prison Law work.

We have been recognised for our criminal law expertise by the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation accreditation.

For more information, see criminal defence solicitors.

Get in touch with our possession with intent to supply solicitors in Eastbourne and Hastings

For immediate expert advice on possession with intent to supply offences, please use the contact details below to get in touch:

• Daytime phone number: 01323 644222
• Out of hours phone number: 07724 350521
• Email: enquiries@stephenrimmer.com
• Or pay us a visit at 28 – 30 Hyde Gardens Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 4PX

Our possession with intent to supply expertise

Representing you during interviews under caution

If you have been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, you are advised to seek legal representation for any interviews you are required to go through. We can provide expert guidance and defence, ensuring that your rights and interests are observed and that you understand the best approach to dealing with the allegations.

Advising you on the strength or weakness of the case against you

If you have been charged with possession with intent to supply illegal drugs, we will go through the details and advise you of the strength or weakness of the evidence against you so that you have an honest appraisal of the situation. This can help us decide on the right strategy for your defence.

Discussing any possible mitigating factors

There may be mitigating factors in your case which could persuade the judge to reduce the sentence you are given. These include:

• Age, for example, the court may feel that a young person is less responsible
• Previous good character
• Co-operation with the authorities
• Genuine remorse
• Disability or mental illness

We will go through your circumstances with you and assess whether there are any mitigating aspects to what has happened that we can put forward.

Discussing your intended plea

Pleading guilty can result in a lesser sentence as the criminal justice system is aiming to reduce costs as well as the time taken to deal with offences. An early plea during the first stage of the proceedings could mean a reduction of up to one-third.

The later a plea is made, the smaller the reduction will be. Once an initial hearing has taken place, the maximum reduction is one-fifth.

We can discuss your case in light of the evidence against you and ensure that you have all of the information you need to make the right decision.

Our possession with intent to supply fees

Legal aid for possession with intent to supply

Our criminal defence lawyers can attend a police station with you and the cost of this will be covered by legal aid. You may also be entitled to legal aid for subsequent defence work and we can advise you as to eligibility.

Privately funded defence for possession with intent to supply

We also deal with privately funded defence to possession with intent to supply charges.

Possession with intent to supply FAQs

What is the sentence for possession with intent to supply?

Possession with intent to supply sentencing guidelines are based on the role someone has in the offence, namely a leading, significant or lesser role. Account is also taken of the quantity of drugs involved and the class of drug.

Sentence for possession with intent to supply ranges from a community order to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence.

What happens if you get caught with intent to supply?

If you are arrested and charged with intent to supply illegal drugs, you will be interviewed under caution and the authorities will attempt to build a case against you based on the evidence they have gathered.

The following are examples of behaviour that could show an intention to supply illegal drugs:

• Possession of an amount of drugs that is excessive for personal use
• Possession of a variety of different drugs
• Possession of pure or uncut drugs
• Possession of drugs that have been prepared for sale into small packets

What is the sentence for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs?

There are four categories of the offence of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs based on the amount of drugs and whether the accused is believed to have been supplying them directly to users or has supplied them to individuals in a custodial institution.

Each category is also divided based on the accused’s role in the offence and whether it is leading, significant or lesser.

The lowest category of offence, category four, ranges from a high level community order to three years in prison for a lesser role to four and a half years to seven and a half years for a leading role.

The highest category of offence, involving a large amount of Class A drugs, ranges from six to nine years in prison for a lesser role to twelve to sixteen years in prison.

These are only starting points for the court to consider and other factors will be taken into account. The maximum sentence for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs is life in prison and an unlimited fine.

What is the defence for possession with intent to supply?

There is a range of possible defences, including:

• Duress
• Not having the mental capacity to form the necessary intent
• Intoxication, so that the necessary intent did not exist
• Mistake as to the circumstances
• Self-defence

What is the minimum sentence for intent to supply Class B drugs?

For a lesser role and category 4 of the offence, the minimum sentence for intent to supply Class B drugs is often a fine and a medium level community order, however each case will be considered individually by the court.

Can you get a suspended sentence for possession with intent to supply?

If the sentence you are given is for less than two years, it is open to the court to suspend this. This means that you would not go to prison and will be given the chance to stay out of trouble, provided that you comply with the terms of the order the court makes.

You could be required to carry out community work, abide by a curfew or attend a treatment programme for drug addiction.

How do UK police prove intent to supply?

The police will look for evidence that you were selling or about to sell drugs and can use CCTV footage and witness statements in proving an intention to supply.

Evidence of large amounts of drugs ready to be sold as well as more than one mobile phone, lists of names, scales, packaging materials and large amounts of cash will also be used.

What counts as possession with intent to supply?

To prove possession with intent to supply, the Crown Prosecution Service needs to show that:

• You were in possession of illegal or controlled drugs; and
• You intended to supply these drugs to someone else

Get in touch for 24/7 possession with intent to supply representation

Our criminal defence lawyers have a high level of expertise in criminal defence for drugs offences. If you have been charged with possession, call us today and we will give you the support and representation you need.

Based in offices in Eastbourne and Hastings, our criminal defence solicitors support clients all across East Sussex, including in Bexhill-on-Sea, Hailsham, Polegate, Battle, Pevensey and St Leonards-on-Sea.

For immediate expert possession with intent to supply advice and representation, please use the contact details below to get in touch:

• Daytime phone number: 01323 644222
• Out of hours phone number: 07724 350521
• Email: enquiries@stephenrimmer.com
• Or pay us a visit at 28 – 30 Hyde Gardens Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 4PX