What Are the Four Usual Types of Drug Crime Charges?
The state and federal have laws that cover many types of drug crime charges. Certain state laws could be more specific but most of it doesn’t run in conflict with federal laws. Federal drug charges will end in longer and harsher sentences. Meanwhile, state drug charges are often sentenced with probation or shorter convictions. Nonetheless, regardless of what kind of drug charges an individual might have, any drug conviction will have consequences.
Drug crime charges gained staggering attention in the past decade. Every state in the US prohibits selling, possessing, and manufacturing of illicit substances. A number of these controlled substances include marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy.
Here are a number of the usual types of drug charges:
Possession
Every state features a different set of laws when it involves drug possession. The charge can be differentiated counting on the kind of drug and the quantity involved. The federal and state laws both coincide in prohibiting the possession of controlled substances. The drug charges when it comes to possession can be a simple possession charge or a heavier charge of possession with intent to distribute. If the person only handled a bit of the drug, the charge is often a simple possession. Having a huge amount of illegal substances can have harsher sentences with the intent to distribute charges. Similar paraphernalia laws are often covered with a drug possession charge.
Paraphernalia Charges
Drug paraphernalia refers to any equipment or tool which is employed to hide, inhale, inject, or prepare illicit drugs. it’s against the law to import, export, or sell drug paraphernalia. Some drug paraphernalia include pipes, rolling papers, syringes, and bongs which are wont to inhale, inject, and prepare the substance.
The issue with drug paraphernalia is the incontrovertible fact that some types can look as if they’re made for legal purposes. An example may be a syringe. A syringe can be an example where some people would use to inject illicit substances but are often masked as a medical-grade syringe. Another example would be bongs that have labels saying it will only be used for tobacco. Even on the label, you’ll have charges associated with drug paraphernalia which depends on how the item looks or where you buy the item.
Dealing Charges
Dealing in the illegal drug trade means selling illicit drugs on but only on a smaller scale. Trafficking and dealing charges can vary counting on the state the defendant lives or operates in. Drug dealing is a crime where the individual sells or trades smaller amounts of illicit drugs which can have lenient penalties compared to other drug crime charges. Selling large quantities leads to harsher penalties.
A charge dealing with 50 grams of marijuana has a sentence up to five years and a further fine of $250,000. Selling 1,000 kilograms would have a sentence ranging from 10 years to life.
Manufacturing and Delivering Drugs Charges
One of the usual drug crime charges would be the manufacturing and delivery of illicit substances. Prosecutors will need to prove the intent of the defendant to either manufacture or deliver illegal drugs to possess a stronger case to convict the defendant. Convictions will face prison time and fines. Growing or manufacturing products with marijuana can be a special case depending on the state, due to the increasing medical uses it provides.
Drug Trafficking Charges
Laws covering trafficking and distribution of medicine state that it’s illegal to sell, import, or trade any illegal substances. This charge is taken into account as a felony. Trafficking and distributing drugs is a very serious crime compared to a drug possession charge. Possessing huge quantities of controlled substances can lead the police to think that the individual simply has an intent to distribute the narcotics and provides a distribution charge. Conviction of drug traffic charges can have a sentence from three years to life.
Seek Professional Legal Help From A Reputable and Experienced firm
Getting drug crime charges is nerve-wracking. It’s advised to partner with a drug defense lawyer. The lawyer will determine what defenses are often utilized in a specific case. There are defense lawyers who would work to challenge the stated facts, evidence, and testimony in accordance with the available information. Procedural errors also can be employed by the defense lawyer.
Get professional legal help and make sure that your lawyer is reliable and experienced. It’s within the best interests of the defendant to have professional help from his or her side. Drug crime sentences are often severe with hefty fines and prison time which is why there should be no delay in getting appropriate legal help.