State & Federal Courts — Portland & Hillsboro, Oregon
Oregon Drug Crimes Defense Attorney — Protecting Your Freedom and Future
A drug arrest can feel overwhelming — and the consequences can follow you for years. Casey Kovacic provides aggressive, experienced defense for individuals facing drug charges in Oregon’s state and federal courts, from simple possession through trafficking and conspiracy.
Facing Drug Charges in Oregon
Drug Charges Demand Immediate, Aggressive Defense
Drug crimes cover an array of charges — from illegal possession to distribution, trafficking, manufacturing, and conspiracy. Being arrested or even investigated for a drug-related offense can feel invasive and have a serious negative effect on your career, your relationships, and your reputation. In criminal matters, time is of the essence.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug-related offense, taking immediate action to build a defense is critical. The earlier an experienced attorney gets involved, the more effectively your rights can be protected — from challenging the legality of a search and seizure to examining the chain of custody on any evidence law enforcement collected.
At the Law Office of Casey Kovacic, Casey will carry out a thorough investigation, gather and examine all available evidence, and defend your rights at every stage of the process. He will analyze all aspects of your case while working to challenge the prosecution’s burden of proof — and if a favorable resolution cannot be negotiated, he will aggressively defend your interests through trial.
Drug laws across the United States are rapidly changing, and Oregon has seen significant shifts in recent years. But if you are charged with a drug-related offense today, your freedom and reputation are still very much at risk. Casey has the experience and in-depth knowledge to navigate Oregon’s evolving drug laws and mount the strongest defense available to you.
Experience Across All Substance Types
Drug Cases Casey Kovacic Handles
Casey has represented clients charged with offenses involving a wide range of controlled substances — from misdemeanor marijuana possession to serious federal trafficking charges involving heroin and fentanyl.
Methamphetamine
Meth-related charges in Oregon range from possession to large-scale distribution and manufacturing. These cases frequently involve complex search issues and, at the federal level, mandatory minimum sentences that can be severe.
Heroin & Fentanyl
Heroin and fentanyl charges are treated with particular severity in both Oregon state and federal courts. Distribution or trafficking charges involving these substances often carry the harshest penalties in the drug code.
Cocaine & Crack Cocaine
Cocaine charges — from simple possession to distribution — require close examination of how evidence was obtained and whether law enforcement conduct was lawful. Casey scrutinizes every aspect of the investigation.
Marijuana
Despite Oregon’s legalization of recreational marijuana, charges for unlicensed distribution, possession over legal limits, sale to minors, and transport across state lines remain serious criminal matters with real consequences.
Prescription Medications
Charges involving prescription drugs — including possession without a valid prescription, fraudulent prescriptions, theft, and unlawful sale — are prosecuted aggressively in Oregon. Casey handles the full spectrum of prescription drug offenses.
Club Drugs & MDMA
Charges involving ecstasy, MDMA, and other club drugs frequently arise from events or sting operations. Casey examines the circumstances of the stop or arrest and any issues with how the evidence was gathered and tested.
Full Spectrum of Drug Offenses
From Simple Possession to Federal Trafficking — Casey Handles It All
Casey has extensive experience representing clients charged with offenses ranging from possession of marijuana to serious federal drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. He handles drug cases in both state and federal courts throughout Oregon.
Drug charges vary enormously in severity — from a Class B misdemeanor for simple possession of a small amount to a federal felony carrying decades in prison for large-scale trafficking. The specific charge you face, the substance involved, the quantity, and whether the offense occurred in state or federal jurisdiction all determine what you’re up against and what defense strategies are available.
Regardless of where your case falls on that spectrum, Casey will give you a clear, honest assessment of the charges, the evidence, and your realistic options — and then build the most aggressive defense the facts allow.
Casey represents clients in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Marion counties, and statewide, on the full range of drug-related charges.
Charges Casey Defends
Possession — Simple possession of any controlled substance, from misdemeanor to felony quantities
Distribution & Delivery — Sale, transfer, or delivery of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other controlled substances
Drug Trafficking — Large-scale distribution charges in state or federal court, often carrying mandatory minimum sentences
Manufacturing — Production or cultivation of controlled substances, including meth lab operations and illegal marijuana grows
Marijuana Offenses — Unlicensed sales, possession over legal limits, delivery to minors, interstate transport
Medical Marijuana Violations — Provider and grower violations of Oregon’s medical marijuana program requirements
Prescription Drug Offenses — Unlawful possession, sale, theft, or use of fraudulent prescriptions
Asset Forfeiture — Seizure of homes, vehicles, cash, and other property connected to alleged drug activity
Money Laundering & Conspiracy — Financial crimes and criminal conspiracy charges connected to drug distribution
What’s at Stake
The Consequences of a Drug Conviction in Oregon
The consequences of a drug conviction in Oregon depend heavily on the substance, the quantity, and whether the offense is charged at the state or federal level. What they have in common is that they can be severe — and long-lasting.
Beyond prison time and fines, a drug conviction affects nearly every aspect of your life. Employment opportunities narrow. Professional licenses can be revoked. Federal student aid may be suspended. Housing applications get denied. And if you are not a U.S. citizen, a drug conviction can have serious immigration consequences including deportation.
The stakes are too high to navigate alone. An experienced drug crimes attorney can challenge the evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and pursue every avenue available to minimize — or eliminate — these consequences.
- Prison From probation to decades in federal prison, depending on the substance, quantity, and prior record
- Fines State fines up to $375,000; federal fines can reach into the millions for trafficking offenses
- Probation Supervised probation with conditions including drug testing, treatment requirements, and travel restrictions
- Record A permanent felony record limiting employment, housing, and professional licensing opportunities
- Assets Forfeiture of cash, vehicles, real property, and other assets connected to the alleged offense
- Federal Aid Suspension of federal student loans and grants upon conviction for drug offenses
- Immigration Possible deportation or inadmissibility for non-citizens convicted of drug crimes
Casey’s Defense Strategy
How Casey Builds a Drug Crimes Defense
Every drug case is different — the facts, the substance, the circumstances of the arrest, and the evidence all shape what defenses are available. Casey approaches each case methodically, examining every element of the prosecution’s case for weaknesses and building a strategy tailored to your specific situation.
One of the most powerful tools in drug defense is the Fourth Amendment. Law enforcement must have lawful justification for any traffic stop, search, or seizure. If police violated your constitutional rights in the course of the investigation — by stopping you without reasonable suspicion, searching without a warrant or valid exception, or failing to properly handle evidence — Casey will move to suppress that evidence. Evidence that is suppressed cannot be used against you at trial.
If suppression is not available or does not resolve the case, Casey negotiates hard with prosecutors to pursue charge reductions, diversion programs, or other alternatives to conviction. And if the case goes to trial, he is prepared to fight aggressively on your behalf in front of a jury.
Thorough Case Investigation
Casey reviews every piece of evidence — police reports, body camera footage, lab results, and witness statements — to identify inconsistencies and opportunities for defense.
Fourth Amendment Analysis
Was the traffic stop lawful? Did police have a valid warrant or recognized exception to conduct the search? Were your Miranda rights properly given? Unlawful government conduct can mean key evidence is thrown out.
Challenge the Evidence
Casey examines the chain of custody on all physical evidence, the lab testing procedures, and the qualifications of any expert witnesses the prosecution intends to call.
Negotiate for the Best Outcome
Where appropriate, Casey pursues charge reductions, deferred sentencing, or diversion programs — working to keep a conviction off your record wherever possible.
Trial-Ready Advocacy
If the case goes to trial, Casey is prepared to present your defense forcefully to a jury — cross-examining witnesses, challenging the government’s case, and fighting for an acquittal.
Your Defense
Why Oregon Drug Defendants Choose Casey Kovacic
Thousands of Criminal Cases — Including Drug Offenses at Every Level
Casey has represented thousands of people charged with offenses ranging from misdemeanor marijuana possession to serious federal drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. That depth of experience means he has seen virtually every type of drug case — and knows how Oregon prosecutors and judges approach them.
State and Federal Court Experience
Many drug crimes attorneys practice only in state court. Casey handles cases in both Oregon state courts and federal court — which is critical if your case involves trafficking, conspiracy, or other charges that federal prosecutors may pick up.
Eight Years as an Oregon Public Defender
Before opening his own firm, Casey spent eight years as a staff attorney at Metropolitan Public Defender Services. He has handled drug cases in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and surrounding counties and understands exactly how these cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted.
Relentless Challenge to the Prosecution’s Case
Casey analyzes all aspects of every case while constantly looking to pressure the prosecution’s burden of proof — from the legality of the initial stop to the reliability of the lab results. Every weakness in the government’s case is an opportunity for your defense.
Direct Access to Casey Throughout Your Case
When you hire the Law Office of Casey Kovacic, you work directly with Casey — not a paralegal or a less experienced associate. He reviews your case personally, answers your questions directly, and stands beside you in court.
Don’t Wait — Time Is Critical
Charged With a Drug Offense in Oregon? Contact Casey Kovacic Today.
In drug cases, early action can make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal. Contact Casey now for a confidential consultation and start building your defense immediately.
(503) 693-8725249 NE Lincoln Street, Hillsboro, OR 97124