What Is Considered a Drug-Related Crime?

There are state and federal laws guiding individuals and their conducts. These same laws make provisions for persons who are involved in drug and drug related crimes. However, many people do not understand what drug crimes or drug related crimes mean under the state and federal laws.

Interested in knowing what is considered a drug related crime, check out a legal representative in your area.

When a person is convicted of a drug crime, this charge can affect the entirety of the person’s life including finances, employment, and other benefits, such as obtaining loans.

When charged with a drug related crime, you need an expert lawyer who is vastly knowledgeable in the area of drug crimes and is open to evaluating and defending your interest in court.

Below are some of the things you need to understand about drug related crimes:

Drug Possession

Drug possession is one of the most common drug crimes for which most people are arrested. When it comes to drug possession, there are large numbers of different drugs for which you can be arrested under law. These drugs include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. It is also important to note that it is considered a crime before the law to be in possession of prescription drugs that have been unlawfully obtained or such drugs contained in unmarked prescription bottles.

Persons convicted for possessing illegally obtained drugs may be faced with serious penalties including prison sentences or fines and in some cases, both penalties may be imposed.

Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a crime which goes beyond possession of drugs as in this case, the arrested offender has been caught not only in possession of the illegally obtained substance but with the intent to distribute, transport, smuggle, manufacture, and or cultivate.

An individual may be charged with drug trafficking if he or she is caught selling or offering to sell specific drugs which are considered illegal, illegally obtained or harmful or when an individual is caught preparing a drug for sale or with the intent to distribute such drugs.

The drug trafficking charge typically can lead to very serious consequences with the arrested offender being faced with severe penalties such as an extended prison sentence depending on the amount of drugs they intend to sell or distribute. Other factors which are capable of affecting the severity of the penalties imposed include: type of the drug involved, amount of drug in possession of the offender, prior criminal records and history, involvement of a minor in the drug trafficking and distribution ring and presence of firearms during arrest.

Prescription Drug Offenses

Some individuals may be arrested for prescription drug offenses on the grounds that they obtained prescription drugs unlawfully and without proper prescription from a medical personnel. Some of the most common prescription drugs for which persons may be arrested when in possession of include Percocet, Vicodin, Oxycodone, Xanax, Adderall, and Soma.

Prescription drug offences are generally such which borders on cases such as prescription drug fraud, prescription drug theft, illegal sale or distribution of prescription drugs, or violation of federal or state laws regarding controlled substances.

When involved in any of the above listed drug related criminal cases, there is the need to consult an esteemed attorney, such as those at Mike G Law, for proper legal representation in order to achieve the best outcome.