A drug crime conviction can ruin a person’s reputation and life, which is why if you are facing a drug charge of any kind, you need a Chesterfield County drug crime lawyer in your corner. Contact the Cockrell Law Firm P.C. today to learn more about drug crimes in South Carolina and how we can help if you’ve been charged with one.
Chesterfield County Drug Crime Lawyer | Here to Help You Move On
We know that often, people are wrongfully charged with the possession, sale, manufacturing, or trafficking of drugs. Whether your charges are baseless or you simply made a mistake, you can count on a Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer to help you.
Marijuana Possession/Sale Penalties in South Carolina
If you are caught in possession of one ounce or less for the first time, you can face a misdemeanor, which may warrant a $200 fine and up to 30 days of incarceration. That said, for a subsequent offense, you will face a potential $2,000 fine and up to one year of incarceration.
Unfortunately, if you are caught with any more than one ounce of marijuana, you will most likely face penalties for the sale of, or the intent to sell marijuana. For the sale of fewer than 10 pounds of marijuana, for example, you can face a felony, which may warrant up to five years of incarceration and a potential $5,000 fine. For the sale of more than 10 pounds of marijuana but less than 100 pounds (and this is the first offense), you can face up to 10 years of incarceration and a potential $10,000 fine. From here, the penalties only get harsher, which is why you can’t proceed without a Chesterfield County drug crime lawyer on your side.
Penalties for Other Drug Crimes in South Carolina
As you know, the possession, sale, manufacturing, or trafficking of any illegal drug can warrant serious criminal penalties that can change a person’s life forever. Some of the most common drug crimes and their potential consequences in South Carolina are as follows:
- First-offense possession of one gram or less of cocaine: A misdemeanor, which can warrant up to three years of incarceration and a potential $5,000 fine.
- First-offense intent to distribute cocaine: A felony, which can warrant up to 15 years of incarceration and a potential $25,000 fine.
- First-offense possession of heroin: A misdemeanor, which can warrant up to two years of incarceration and a potential $5,000 fine.
- First-offense intent to distribute heroin: A felony, which can warrant up to 15 years of incarceration and a potential $25,000 fine.
- First-offense possession of one gram or less of methamphetamine: A misdemeanor, which can warrant up to three years of incarceration and a potential $5,000 fine.
- First-offense intent to distribute methamphetamine: A felony, which can warrant up to 15 years of incarceration and a potential $25,000 fine.
Rather obviously, these penalties only get harsher as you are convicted of second and subsequent offenses. No matter the drug crime you’re charged with, you need aggressive legal representation on your side.
Contact a Chesterfield County Drug Crime Lawyer
You are innocent until proven guilty. A Chesterfield County drug crime lawyer here at the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. can use a wide array of potential defenses to shield you from the long-term implications of a drug charge conviction. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation with our legal team.
