Being arrested for drug possession is far more than just a legal inconvenience. It’s a severe charge that can trigger severe penalties and drastically alter the course of your life. The penalties for possession of a controlled substance conviction can mean jail time, hefty fines, a criminal record, and long-lasting effects on your reputation, job prospects, and family life.
If you’ve been arrested for possession, it is essential to understand the potential penalties, know your defense options, and secure strong legal representation immediately. At Eppes & Plumblee, our drug possession attorneys in Greenville, SC, can ensure you understand your options, challenge the charges against you, and protect your future.
Potential Penalties if Caught with a Controlled Substance in Greenville, SC
Drug possession laws in SC are very stringent. Even if you’re a first-time offender, you can face significant penalties depending on the type and amount of drug involved. The law separates controlled substances into schedules. The most common drug possession charges include marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, and medications like Xanax or oxycodone without a prescription. For example:
- Simple possession of marijuana (less than one ounce) is a misdemeanor penalized by jail time of up to 30 days and a fine not exceeding $200 for a first offense. A second offense becomes a criminal misdemeanor with up to one year in jail.
- Possession of harder drugs like cocaine, meth, or heroin, even small amounts, can result in felony charges with potential prison time ranging from 2 to 15 years, especially for repeat offenders.
Drug crimes are among the leading causes of incarceration in South Carolina. In a recent year, over 26.1% of prison admissions involved drug-related convictions for possession, distribution, and trafficking of controlled substances. This figure underscores the ongoing challenges associated with drug crimes in South Carolina, highlighting the importance of experienced legal representation for individuals facing drug charges.
How a Drug Charge Defense Lawyer Can Help
If you’ve been arrested for drug possession, you may feel overwhelmed, scared, or unsure of what to do next. That’s where our seasoned defense lawyers come in. They will:
- Protect your rights immediately, ensuring the police respect your right to remain silent and avoid unlawful searches.
- Thoroughly analyze your case, scrutinizing every piece of evidence and police procedure to identify constitutional violations and potential defenses.
- File crucial motions intending to suppress illegally obtained evidence, which may lead to your charges being dismissed.
- Leverage potential defenses to negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, dismissal, or entry into favorable diversion programs like Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or Conditional Discharge, potentially allowing you to avoid a conviction altogether.
- Explain your options, providing honest assessments and explanations of potential outcomes and plea offers versus trial risks.
- Defend you at hearings and, if necessary, at trial, challenging the prosecution’s case and presenting your defense effectively.
- Work to minimize a potential conviction’s direct penalties and devastating collateral consequences.
Take the First Step to Protecting Your Future by Contacting Our Team Now
If you’re facing drug possession charges, don’t wait. The sooner you talk to our Greenville, SC, drug possession attorneys, the sooner they can build a strong defense. At Eppes & Plumblee, P.A., we’ve helped people like you fight drug charges and move forward with their lives. Contact us online or dial (864) 581-3450.