Legal Consequences For Drug Charges

Being addicted to drugs can become a negative drive in a person’s life. Dependence on illicit substances leads to the destruction of both the mental and physical state of a private. Authorities aim to protect the public against the effects of substance abuse and ignite the campaign against drugs through the laws enforced on the land. Individuals who possess illegal substances such as heroin and marijuana are charged with a lot of drug charges. The differences within the penalties would be determined by the number of the substance involved and thus, the intention behind the possession of the banned drugs.

The drug charges that will be given to an individual is by identifying the intent of the person. The penalties can range from small fees to decade-long jail time. If the person owns, sells, manufactures, or transports drugs, the individual is to be subjected to the law. However, there are times that an individual doesn't have any illegal intent in carrying substances and was caught within the center of a case. No matter the circumstances, an individual getting charges need an experienced drug defense lawyer to help the defendant get a lighter penalty.

Drugs Under Restrictions

A drug refers to the sort of substance that's under the rigid surveillance and restrictions of the government. The reason for the government restrictions is due to the ability of the drug to affect a person’s physiological condition and his or her state of mind. These illegal substances can lead to dependency on addiction or abuse.

The substances that are under restricted governance include steroids, hallucinogens, opioids, stimulants, and depressants. Substances such as Valium, morphine, and Ritalin are used for a lot of medical purposes. These substances can only be prescribed by a pharmacist or a licensed physician. Illicit drugs like LSD and heroin don't contain any medical use which makes the substances completely illegal.

Legal Consequences of medicine

People that are involved in the illegal trade and possession of controlled substances are to be subjected to varied repercussions. A lot of jails in the United States are full of convicts that have charges that are related to drugs. The penalties related to drug crimes are probation, community service, heavy fines, jail time, and possible confinement. The worst sentence to a drug charge is the undeniable fact that an individual will have a record no matter how light the penalties are. An individual who is convicted of a drug crime will have a record that will make it difficult to get employed, loan approvals, and other civilian rights.

The Legality of A Drug Usage

The legal use of a drug depends on the usage of the substance and therefore the application it's used for. An example is an amphetamine where it's used for medical purposes because it helps treat attention deficit disorder. Another illegal substance that has some legal use is marijuana. This is because marijuana can be used to help relieve any nausea caused by cancer. Barbiturates help the treatment of hysteria. If these substances are gained illegally with no prescription from licensed professionals or unsupervised usage, it'll present a risk to the person and therefore the public. This is often why the law is regulating the usage of these drugs to avoid any abuse or addiction to the substance.

Federal and State Laws

The US features a longstanding fight against illegal drugs in regard to combating abuse or distribution of illicit drugs. PewTrusts.org stated that the majority of federal convictions are related to drug traffic. Most state arrests are made on drug possession charges.  A huge portion of those local charges is claimed to be related to marijuana possession charges.

One of the big differences between the state laws and federal laws is when it involves drug cases and the intensity of the sentences. Charges from the federal law would cause a longer time in jail and a bigger amount of penalties. State arrests, especially when the case is straightforward possession are often charged with a misdemeanor and a probation sentence. Most state convictions can have a shorter amount of time in jail or a small fine.  The state sentences are often suffering from a person’s criminal history.

People facing drug charges are advised to hire an experienced drug defense lawyer. A defense attorney can help the defendant navigate through the system and help negotiate a lighter sentence or penalty. The system is usually confusing especially for defendants who got into trouble for the first time but having a reliable legal team will ease the strain of the proceedings.

About This Author

Brian Tremel https://briantremel.wordpress.com/ Writer, Business Consultant, Tech-Enthusiast Joined: September 3rd, 2020