Any involvement in the trade or abuse of illicit drugs or controlled substances can lead to criminal prosecution. Individuals who use, possess, transfer or manufacture drugs are vulnerable to prosecution. Even people who are aware that others actively abuse drugs could face criminal charges as accessories to drug offenses.
Particularly in cases where other parties end up in the hospital or dead because of activities involving drugs, the situation may potentially lead to criminal charges. Fear of prosecution for drug offenses can lead to people making unsafe choices.
Historically, many individuals have ignored early warning signs of overdoses in others out of fear of what might happen if they take that person to the hospital or call the authorities. State lawmakers have addressed this concern to make public health the top priority.
Maryland has a Good Samaritan law
Many states have enacted so-called “Good Samaritan statutes” that protect those who intervene when an overdose occurs. Good Samaritan laws protect individuals from prosecution if they call for emergency services or transport a person experiencing an overdose to a nearby medical facility.
Maryland’s law protects people who respond appropriately to an overdose by helping the person at risk. Washington D.C. has a similar statute. Those who may be under the influence themselves or even those who provided the drugs can protect themselves by taking the right steps when another person overdoses and experiences an adverse medical reaction.
Individuals facing drug charges may have a variety of defense strategies available to them, including invoking the Good Samaritan law to avoid prosecution. Reviewing what happened prior to a drug arrest can help defendants develop the best response to the allegations against them.