call for consultation
Overview
On this page, you’ll learn more about:
No one starts their day expecting to spend the night at Nelson Coleman Correction Center following an arrest for a drug crime. Louisiana’s zero-tolerance approach to drug crimes can lead to serious and potentially life-altering consequences for anyone convicted of possessing, selling, or distributing a controlled substance. If you are facing one of these charges, a Skilled Norco drug crime lawyer can protect your rights while pursuing the right defense strategy.
Marino Law Firm, LLC, represents clients who are facing drug crime charges in Norco and the surrounding communities. Our dedicated father-and-son team both graduated from Louisiana law schools and maintain deep roots in the River Parishes. That background, along with their 50-plus years of combined courtroom experience, can be instrumental in improving the outcome of your drug crime case.
When you work with our law firm, you gain the unwavering support of a legal team that understands how state prosecutors work and build their cases. Orrin Marino worked for the Jefferson Parish Public Defender’s Office for six years, where he gained invaluable courtroom and trial experience.
His father, Mark Marino, earned his Juris Doctor from the Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge before passing the state bar in 1986 and founding Marino Law Firm, LLC. Together, our father-and-son team has strong knowledge of the local courts and a focus on protecting the rights of clients. We pursue defense strategies that safeguard the freedoms of the people we represent.
Drug crimes are a serious public health concern. In 2024, there were 1,700 drug-related deaths, which is down from 2,456 the year prior. Louisiana maintains a schedule that lists controlled substances, and anyone found in possession of the drugs listed there would be charged with a crime. Other drug-related offenses include drug manufacturing, transportation, and distribution.
An arrest for a drug offense could result from someone being pulled over along Goodhope Street, Barreca Street, or elsewhere in Norco. Other cases may involve lengthy investigations. These crimes contribute to Norco’s crime rate of 28.92 per 1,000 residents in a normal year, and arrested suspects are typically transported to the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, located at 5061 LA Highway 3127 in nearby Killona.
The decision to hire a drug crime lawyer can provide you with the strongest chance of staying out of jail or prison, which is crucially important in a state with an incarceration rate of 1,067 per 100,000 people in a typical year. A Norco drug crime attorney can begin by carefully reviewing how and why you were arrested.
After examining the evidence, your lawyer can explore defense strategies that could include:
These strategies can help your case, whether you were initially arrested near St. Charles Street, Barreca Street, or elsewhere in the city. By working with a local drug crime attorney who understands Louisiana’s drug crime laws, you can potentially avoid serious drug crime penalties that could jeopardize your future and freedom.
Drug crimes generally deal with controlled substances. The government maintains a list of drugs that are unlawful to possess, use, manufacture, or transport. In Louisiana, these drugs are classified according to a schedule, and drugs that are more addictive and deadly generally carry harsher penalties. Drug crimes differentiate between drug use, transportation, and other offenses.
One example of a drug crime would be the personal use of opioids, either from pills that were never prescribed to you or substances like heroin or opium. It is unlawful to possess, use, or sell opioid-based drugs, and the penalties someone can face for this crime can be considerable. The quantity and intent behind using the drug are just two factors that can shape the criminal charge someone faces.
Facing a criminal charge for drug possession does not mean that you will ultimately face time in jail. There are roughly 52,000 people currently behind bars in Louisiana, so this is a serious concern for many defendants. Whether you go to jail or not can be determined by the strategy your defense attorney follows and their ability to cast doubt on the state’s case. Reduced charges or a favorable plea bargain could allow you to avoid any time behind bars.
Any criminal charges, including drug charges, can be reduced or dismissed in Louisiana. When you work with an experienced defense attorney, you gain representation from an advocate whose main focus is helping you avoid the consequences of a serious conviction. An attorney can review the evidence and gather new evidence to support your defense. Those steps can lead to favorable outcomes that mitigate the penalties you are facing.
Drug crimes can lead to serious consequences that could harm your standing in the community and jeopardize your freedom. When you work with the dedicated defense attorneys at Marino Law Firm, LLC, you gain the steadfast support of advocates who understand the state’s criminal laws. We can explore viable defense strategies for contesting your charges.
Our dedicated team of attorneys can relieve you of some of the uncertainty that you are experiencing by explaining the court process and taking decisive steps to defend you in court. Take the first step by contacting our office today to schedule your consultation.
Marino Law Firm, LLC, represents clients throughout southeast Louisiana’s river parishes. During regular business hours, call our Destrehan, Louisiana, office-toll free at 985-764-1515 with any urgent matters, including updates to an existing case. Our staff is available to take messages, schedule appointments and answer question about nonlegal matters. Contact us to arrange a consultation with an experienced Destrehan family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer.
call for consultation 985-764-1515
104 Campus Drive East
Suite 101
Destrehan, LA 70047
© 2026 Marino Law Firm, LLC• All Rights Reserved. *Images are obtained under license from Canva and other third-party stock image providers, with attribution included where required. Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy. Digital Marketing By: 
