Orangeburg County Drug Lawyer

If you face drug charges in Orange County, you need qualified legal counsel to build a defense based on your specific case. Drug charges cannot be taken lightly. Depending on the charges you face, you could spend significant time behind bars, face high fines, and even lose certain constitutional rights. The right criminal defense strategy may be able to reduce or even dismiss the charges you face.

An experienced Orangeburg County drug lawyer is ready to build a defense unique to you. You deserve competent representation when facing criminal charges.

Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Charges

Most types of drug charges are categorized into either felony or misdemeanor categories. Felonies are more serious forms of the offense and can carry many years in prison, loss of constitutional rights, and high fines. A felony on a defendant’s criminal record can make it extremely difficult to find and maintain employment, and may have other collateral consequences as well.

Misdemeanors, while less serious than felony offenses, still carry potential jail sentences and high fines. Misdemeanors still appear on a defendant’s criminal record and can affect their life for years to come.

Types of Illegal Drugs

There is a long list of illegal drugs and substances that may lead to drug charges within the state. This list includes drugs that are synthetic and those that are naturally occurring, such as marijuana. When misused, even otherwise legal medications may become illegal.

Drug charges commonly result from some of the following illegal substances:

• Methamphetamine
• Fentanyl and carfentanyl
• Ecstasy
• LSD
• Date rape drugs
• Crack or cocaine
• Marijuana
• Prescription medications without a valid prescription

While other substances and drugs may also lead to charges, these represent some of the most common substances that may lead to a state drug charge. When facing this type of charge, a defendant requires a strong defense to protect their constitutional rights.

Forms of Drug Offenses

The specific drug crime a defendant will face will be determined by the type of drug at issue and the conduct related to that drug. The conduct in which the defendant is alleged to have engaged with the drug significantly affects the type of offense they face.

Possession Charges

Possession of drugs is a very common offense that punishes having illegal drugs in the person’s control. This is not a charge of attempting to sell or distribute the drugs, but simply for having the drugs.

Possession – Intent to Distribute

When a large amount of drugs are found on a person, the law often assumes they intended to sell those drugs, even if there is no other evidence of intent to sell. This can substantially increase the potential penalties from a typical possession charge.

Manufacture of Drugs

Creating, growing, or otherwise producing drugs in any way is a serious charge and is nearly always a felony offense. State prosecutors take these charges incredibly seriously.

Trafficking in Drugs

If a defendant is alleged to have sold or otherwise transferred drugs this can lead to serious felony charges with long prison sentences and high fines.

Contact a Drug Defense Attorney in Orangeburg County for Help

Drug charges should never be taken lightly, no matter the level of the offense. Every allegation deserves a properly formed criminal defense. Your rights deserve protection, even if the prosecutor is trying to convince you there is no point in defending your case.

An experienced Orangeburg County drug lawyer is prepared to build a customized defense for you. Contact us today for assistance.