Convictions for possession of misdemeanors are punishable by a fine and jail term of up to one year. Few cases of possession are charged as misdemeanors, since the maximum amount of substance allowed is minimal. Felony possession charges and convictions are much more common, as all Schedule I possessions are charged as felonies. The penalties include a severe fine and one to four years' imprisonment.
Penalties for drug possession vary by program, amount of substance, previous convictions, and other factors. The Controlled Substance Trafficking charge shall be set at one (charge of one indictment) with each of the component offenses alleged therein and may be charged and tried in any county where a component offense occurred. If you have been arrested for illegal possession of CDS, you will need to refer to the Mississippi Code which precisely lists which drugs fit into each group. The specific drug you are in possession of will determine your sentence for a conviction.
However, for a first-time marijuana possession charge, you may only face penalties similar to those of a traffic violation, such as a fine and not going to jail. Possessing less than one-tenth of a gram (or a dosage unit) can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Examples of these drugs include LSD and other hallucinogens, MDMA, heroin, prescription opioids, amphetamines and methamphetamines, methadone, cocaine, fentanyl, Adderall, and Ritalin. Whether your charges involved methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, LSD, prescription drugs, or another type of controlled substance, the penalties for drug-related offenses are severe and carry long prison sentences, as well as large fines.
Examples include codeine, ketamine, steroids, prescription drugs such as Xanax and Valium, antidepressants, and codeine cough syrup. Mississippi divides controlled substances into programs based on how dangerous the drug is and whether it has a recognized medical benefit. Prior convictions will not be used as component offenses to establish the charge of trafficking in controlled substances. In some cases, you may be serving more than 20 years in prison, depending on the circumstances of your charges.
Having handled more than 10,000 criminal cases during his career and a proven track record of success, he's ready to hear what he has to say and determine the best way to fight his charges. The sooner you hire a proven drug crime lawyer, the more time your defense attorneys have to track the evidence and build your defense.
