Drug charges is a general term that refers to alarge selection of charges that can range from a small possession of weed to more intense offenses like the transportation of illegal narcotics. Due to the ongoing War on Drugs, most drug charges throughout the United States are severely prosecuted, so it is necessary for you to employ a serious and competent criminal defense lawyer to deal with these charges pressed against you.
If you have been charged with any type of drug, don’t hesitate to speak to an attorney today! Your freedom could depend on it.
Types of Drugs
There are a variety of drugs which are associated with drug charges. The government classifies illegal substances based on medical usage, possible abuse, and potential for addictiveness. Some examples of these illegal drugs include:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Methamphetamine
- LSD
- “Club Drugs” (Such as Ecstasy)
- “Date Rape Drugs”
- Synthetic Drugs
Marijuana is the most common of these and makes up most of the drug arrests in the United States. Although provisions exist for the use of medical marijuana, this is severely exploited for the abuse of the drug. In general, the kind of drug involved in the crime will affect the severity of the charge.
Types of Drug Charges
Many drug offenses can be classified as "trafficking" which can be related to any illegal substance. Prescription drug charges include forgery and the illegal sale of these prescription drugs. Not all drug charges are equal in severity. The charge depends on many factors such as what the person intended to do with the drugs, how much of it was found, which drug was found, and if that person is a repeat offender. Typically drug related crimes include:
- Possession – Being on possession of any one of the illegal drugs
- Trafficking or Distribution – Selling or transporting the drugs for profit
- Manufacturing or Cultivation – Creating drugs by either growing a cultivar or creating them in a “lab”
Comparing Misdemeanor and Felony Drug Charges
A misdemeanor is a lesser crime with punishments that are less severe than felony crimes. Misdemeanor drug charges are usually handled by local state laws. Felony drug charges are more serious and have more serious consequences attached to them. These crimes are usually punished according to Federal laws and usually include prison sentences. A misdemeanor drug possession charge can be upgraded to a felony if the crime occurrednear a school zone.
Get Legal Help
A drug charge is a serious criminal charge. Ensuring that you have the best possible legal representation with these types of charges is important. An intelligent defense attorneycan make deals that include drug treatment or drug counseling classes in exchange for eliminating a drug offence sentence or dropping the drug charges. If you are charged with a drug charge do not just talk to anyone, get a free consultation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer today.