Clemson Drug Lawyer

Drug charges are all too common within the state, but despite how common they are they are still very serious criminal allegations. Convictions for drug offenses can change your rights for the rest of your life, could rob you of your job, and may even affect where you can get an education. Also, you could face significant fines and years in prison, depending on the crime for which you are convicted.

An experienced Clemson drug lawyer can build you a defense to protect your constitutional rights. A consultation with a seasoned defense attorney will help you understand your rights and how to protect them.

Felony or Misdemeanor Drug Charges

Drug charges tend to be classified in one of two categories. The first is that of a misdemeanor drug charge. These misdemeanors can carry up to a year in jail and often come with high fines. Misdemeanors can remain on a defendant’s criminal record and cause difficulties for many years.

Felony drug charges are punishable for many years, sometimes decades. The fines associated with felony offenses are also much higher and the defendant faces the risk of losing certain of their constitutional rights. These include the right to own a gun, be on a jury, and the right to vote.

Determining whether a drug charge is a misdemeanor or felony is based on different factors such as the amount of drugs, the type of drugs, and the conduct associated with the drug charge.

Drug Crimes in South Carolina

The penalty ranges and the best possible methods for defense will be largely based on the type of drug crime with which the defendant is charged. There are a great many different drug crimes in the state, but certain broad categories help break them down:

• Manufacturing of Drugs – Convictions for preparing, cultivating, or producing drugs can lead to incredibly serious penalties.
• Trafficking of Drugs – Those that are convicted of selling drugs to others face felony level convictions often with high fines and lengthy prison sentences.
• Possession with Intent to Distribute – If a person has a large amount of drugs in their possession, the law will assume that they intended to sell those drugs. This can happen even if the defendant was never seen selling drugs.
• Possession of Drugs – If a defendant is charged with having actual or constructive possession of illegal drugs they can still face serious charges. The amount of drug possessed can greatly impact the potential penalties and whether the offense is a felony or misdemeanor.

These drug offenses can occur with illegal substances such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and more. They can also happen with legal prescription drugs that are sold illegally or used by those without a legitimate prescription.

Depending on the statute, the type of drug involved with the offense can affect the potential penalties. For example, marijuana charges are typically less serious than those for heroin or cocaine. However, a defendant who faces a drug charge should consult with the drug defense attorney to understand the specific charges they face.

Consult a Drug Defense Attorney in Clemson

Building the right defense for your case is essential to protecting your rights. You are guaranteed the right to present a defense to the charges against you. A qualified attorney can build a defense based on your unique case.

An experienced Clemson drug lawyer will speak with you and help you defend your case. Contact us today for a consultation.