Charleston Drug Lawyer

Drug charges can result in extensive periods of incarceration, fines, and other wide-ranging penalties. Hiring a defense lawyer can be critical when fighting to obtain the best possible result for your case.

An experienced Charleston drug lawyer has knowledge of local laws and could protect your rights and future during every stage of the case process. An attorney could assess the evidence against you, identify any procedural or legal irregularities, and consider possible strategies to contest the prosecution’s assertions.

Types of Drug Crimes

Depending on the offense, drug charges can be misdemeanors or felonies under the law. For example, simple drug possession is often charged as a misdemeanor. However, drug distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking are typically charged as felony crimes.

Numerous factors can impact the severity of a drug charge, including:

• The location of the offense
• The criminal history of the accused (if any)
• The type of drug
• The quantity of the drug
• Evidence of intent to distribute

Some of these factors are more important than others. Large quantities of a substance, the involvement of minors, and offenses near schools or other locations can elevate an offense and its subsequent penalties. The substance—cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or amphetamines—and its potential for abuse can aggravate the alleged crimes.

Anyone charged with a drug crime should not hesitate to talk with a Charleston lawyer immediately. An experienced attorney could fight for reduced charges, argue for alternative sentences—rehabilitation instead of prison—or seek a case dismissal for procedural or factual errors.

Understanding Drug Crime Penalties

The penalties for drug crimes vary widely. For example, simple possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor that can result in up to 30 days in jail plus fines. However, possessing between one ounce and up to 10 pounds of marijuana is considered possession with intent to distribute—a felony that could result in up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.  10 pounds of marijuana is minimum threshold for trafficking.

For a first-time offender, possession of a relatively small quantity—less than 10 grams—of a drug like cocaine could lead to two years in jail, plus fines. However, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute can result in 15 years or more in jail, plus fines ranging from $25,000 to well over $100,000, depending on the quantity.  Whereas trafficking cocaine can carry a mandatory minimum of twenty-five years imprisonment.

A Charleston attorney could defend the rights of someone charged with a drug crime both in and out of the courtroom, helping them understand their best options at every turn. A lawyer could comb through case evidence and procedures, including questioning the legality of searches and seizures, the chain of custody of evidence, or the accuracy of witness statements.

Contact a Charleston Drug Attorney

If you are facing drug charges, your constitutional rights could be at risk if you do not secure qualified legal representation. A knowledgeable Charleston drug lawyer could examine the specifics of your case and construct a compelling defense plan tailored to your circumstances.

A defense attorney could negotiate with prosecutors, potentially reducing charges, minimizing penalties, and fighting for dismissal. A lawyer could also identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments and create effective strategies to protect your future and freedom. Contact our firm today to schedule your free, one-on-one case evaluation.