South Carolina Drug Trafficking Lawyer

In South Carolina, legal authorities treat allegations of drug trafficking extremely serious and pursue harsh penalties against anyone convicted of this offense. Even if you have never faced criminal prosecution for any kind of offense before, a single trafficking conviction could permanently brand you as a felon and leave you facing steep fines, the loss of various civil rights, and significant time in state prison.

No matter the circumstances that led to the accusations against you, you should speak with a South Carolina drug trafficking lawyer as soon as possible after finding out law enforcement suspects you of trafficking any controlled substance. From the initial investigatory phase of your case all the way to its conclusion in or out of criminal court, a drug defense attorney can help your case.

How State Law Defines Trafficking

The way that South Carolina defines drug trafficking as a criminal offense can be a little misleading. Unlike the federal version of this crime, trafficking under state law does not require transporting drugs over state lines. On top of that, state law enforcement authorities do not need to prove that a defendant intended to sell a large quantity of a controlled substance in order to convict them of trafficking that substance.

Instead, the only thing that matters when it comes to South Carolina drug trafficking charges is the amount of a particular controlled substance in a defendant’s possession, in accordance with the amounts specified in South Carolina Code of Laws §44-53-370(e). As a skilled attorney could clarify in further detail, anyone who possesses more than the following quantities of controlled substances may face charges for drug trafficking in South Carolina:

  • 10 pounds of marijuana
  • 10 grams of cocaine
  • Four grams of morphine or opium
  • 15 grams of methaqualone (Quaaludes)
  • 100 dosage units of LSD or MDMA
  • One gram of flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
  • 50 milliliters of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (Xyrem)

Varying Consequences for Different Substances

State law establishes different criminal penalties upon conviction for the trafficking of different controlled substances. For instance, trafficking 10 pounds of marijuana allows for maximum penalties of one to 10 years in prison plus $10,000 in fines, while trafficking 10 grams of cocaine could lead to a prison sentence of three to 10 years as well as a maximum $25,000 fine.

In addition to differentiating between different types of controlled substances, state law also prescribes different penalties based on the amount of a controlled substance that a defendant allegedly trafficked. Someone who traffics between 100 and 1,000 pounds of marijuana, for example, may face enhanced penalties of up to 25 years behind bars and a $25,000 fine, and the maximum fine for marijuana trafficking is $200,000 for the trafficking of more than 10,000 pounds of marijuana and/or individual marijuana plants.

Finally, repeat convictions for drug trafficking allow for increased penalties upon conviction regardless of the amount of a controlled substance found in a defendant’s possession. A drug trafficking attorney in South Carolina could explain what repercussions a particular charge might result in during a private consultation.

Seek Help from a South Carolina Drug Trafficking Attorney

Even without any prior record of drug-related convictions, a single drug trafficking charge could leave you facing a long time in prison and a lifetime of personal and professional challenges after your release. Fortunately, it is possible to effectively contest drug trafficking allegations with help from experienced legal counsel.

Discussing your options with a South Carolina drug trafficking lawyer should be your top priority after learning you are being investigated for or charged with trafficking controlled substances. Call today to schedule a consultation.

South Carolina Drug Lawyer