Drug Paraphernalia in Seattle
In addition to selling, delivering or manufacturing illegal drugs in Washington, it is also a crime to sell or give drug paraphernalia in any form. In Seattle, a person can be charged with a VUCSA crime if they are found to be giving, selling or permitting to be sold any type of drug paraphernalia. Under Washington law RCW 69.50.4121 drug paraphernalia is defined as “all equipment, products, and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance other than marijuana.”
Some of the most common types of drug paraphernalia include the following:
- Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads, or punctured metal bowls
- Water pipes
- Carburetion tubes and devices
- Smoking and carburetion mask
- Miniature cocaine spoons and cocaine vials
- Chamber pipes
- Carburetor pipes
- Electric pipes
- Air-driven pipes
- Ice pipes or chillers
Seattle Drug Paraphernalia Laws
According to Washington law, it is not a valid defense to argue that a person was giving or selling drug paraphernalia as an agent for another party. The best defense for a drug paraphernalia charge is to file a motion to suppress the evidence. When police obtain evidence through unlawful procedures, an attorney can fight to have that evidence suppressed so that it cannot be shown in court. For example, if police find drug paraphernalia through an unwarranted search, a defense attorney may be able to get their findings removed from the evidence list. Prosecutors will have a hard time making a conviction when there is no evidence to prove the crime.
A conviction for selling or giving drug paraphernalia is a class I criminal infraction. The maximum penalty is a fine of $250. While this may seem like a light sentence in and of itself, these charges are often combined with other charges like drug-related DUI or more serious charges of other VUCSA drug violations. If there is any trace of a drug present in the paraphernalia, the suspect might also be charged with drug possession.
If you have been arrested for suspicion of a VUCSA crime in Seattle, contact our office immediately. Attorney Steve Karimi is experienced in all areas of drug law and understands what it takes to get the best results possible. Attorney Karimi is a former prosecutor so he has seen both sides of the criminal justice system in Washington. He is dedicated to his clients and offers free consultations to every potential VUCSA client.