The Importance Of Drug Laws In The United States
No matter where in the United States you live, being charged with criminal activity associated with illicit substances can bring with it extremely harsh penalties. In some cases, these penalties may seem out of step with the actual severity of the charges. This is the world of the War on Drugs. While there have been steps nationwide to turn back the clock on some of these penalties and charges, you will have to play by the rules as they are today. To do so, you'll need a good drug crime lawyer by your side. The penalties involved with such charges are too harsh to risk taking your chances alone.
Possession
A simple possession charge, by itself, is typically minor in nature but that doesn't mean you don't need a drug crime lawyer to handle
the proceedings. The charges and penalties associated with such a charge will depend on a number of factors. Your age, the amount, the type of substance, and even where you were at the time of your arrest can play a part in determining what kind of sentence you get. The biggest factor, perhaps, is your own criminal record. If you have several arrests in the past, you're much more likely to come across a judge ready to throw the book at you even for simple possession.
Intent to Distribute
Possession with Intent is a much more serious charge than simple possession. This charge alone is enough to put you in prison under certain circumstances. For many police and prosecutors, the only evidence they need to put a possession charge into this higher category is the amount you have. So if you simply don't like the risk that comes with multiple smaller deals and decided to stock up, that preference could be enough to put you in prison for a long time. If, however, you have a good drug crime lawyer who can make a case that you were not intending to do as the prosecution insists, you may be able to get those charges reduced or thrown out.
Cultivation
When most people think of cultivation charges, they think of marijuana growers. And it is true; that is the most common scenario under which this charge is used in the U.S. However, it can also apply to the growth of poppies, cocaine, and more. It does not apply to the manufacture of drugs such as LSD, meth, or steroids, though there are serious charges for that as well.
Possession
A simple possession charge, by itself, is typically minor in nature but that doesn't mean you don't need a drug crime lawyer to handle
the proceedings. The charges and penalties associated with such a charge will depend on a number of factors. Your age, the amount, the type of substance, and even where you were at the time of your arrest can play a part in determining what kind of sentence you get. The biggest factor, perhaps, is your own criminal record. If you have several arrests in the past, you're much more likely to come across a judge ready to throw the book at you even for simple possession.
Intent to Distribute
Possession with Intent is a much more serious charge than simple possession. This charge alone is enough to put you in prison under certain circumstances. For many police and prosecutors, the only evidence they need to put a possession charge into this higher category is the amount you have. So if you simply don't like the risk that comes with multiple smaller deals and decided to stock up, that preference could be enough to put you in prison for a long time. If, however, you have a good drug crime lawyer who can make a case that you were not intending to do as the prosecution insists, you may be able to get those charges reduced or thrown out.
Cultivation
When most people think of cultivation charges, they think of marijuana growers. And it is true; that is the most common scenario under which this charge is used in the U.S. However, it can also apply to the growth of poppies, cocaine, and more. It does not apply to the manufacture of drugs such as LSD, meth, or steroids, though there are serious charges for that as well.