Being accused of committing any kind of drug crime in the state of South Carolina is a very serious criminal matter. The Palmetto State has some of the toughest laws in the country concerning drugs, and you could end up facing federal charges as well. In addition to heavy fines and the potential for mandatory jail time, drug convictions stay on your public record, and can impact your ability to get a job or a promotion, or to apply for student loan or a mortgage. If you’ve been charged with a drug crime , it’s important to understand the exact type of charges you’re facing, as well as the potential penalties if you are convicted.
South Carolina Drug Offenses
The South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 44, Chapter 53, deals with offenses related to drugs and controlled substances. If you are accused of a drug crime in South Carolina, you could be facing one or more of the following drug charges :
- Possession of illegal drugs or controlled substances;
- Manufacture, sales or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances;
- Sale of illegal drugs to someone under 18;
- Sale of illegal drugs in close proximity to a school;
- Drug trafficking;
- Cultivation of marijuana; or
- Prescription drug theft, fraud and deceit.
Drugs and controlled substances are classified into sections called schedules. Schedule 1 and 2 drugs, such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine, are considered to have little to no medical value, and have the highest potential for abuse. Schedule 3 drugs, such as steroids, Xanax and Ritalin, have some potential for abuse, but also have common medical uses. Schedule 4 and 5 drugs, usually containing low doses of opiates or codeine, have little to no potential for abuse, and are frequently used in medical treatment.
Penalties for Drug Offenses
Penalties for drug charges vary. Depending on the type of drug, the amount, and any past convictions, you could be facing anything from misdemeanor charges, with minimal fines and probation, to a felony sentence, with fines of thousands of dollars and mandatory jail times. Penalties for drug charges generally follow these guidelines:
Possession of small quantities of marijuana:
- Class B or C misdemeanor
- Fines ranging from $100 to $1,000
- Jail time ranging from probation only to 1 year
Possession of methamphetamine or cocaine:
- Ranges from Class A Misdemeanor to felony
- Fines ranging from $5,000 to $12,500
- Jail time up to 10 years
Possession, manufacture, or trafficking:
- Felony
- Fines up to $50,000
- Jail time up to 30 years
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you have been charged with a drug crime, regardless of the type of drug or amount, contact a criminal defense attorney in Greenville, South Carolina right away. Drug charges are a serious matter, and you’ll want a lawyer who can provide a strong legal defense. Lauren M. Taylor serves the entire upstate area, and has the experience you need. Call today for a consultation.
South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.
Since the firm’s inception in 2012, Mrs. Taylor has helped hundreds of people navigate the uncertainties surrounding the family and criminal court process.
She has cultivated a team that ensures each case has a strategy crafted specifically to the clients needs and desires.
Her commitment to top notch service has led her to open two additional offices in the low country where she now resides with her husband Michael and her golden retriever, Buster.