Our attorneys at the Zoukis Consulting Group are experts regarding controlled substance laws, charges, and penalties. One of our trusted defense attorneys will assist you in court if you’ve gotten charged with a drug crime.
A skilled defense attorney knows how to negotiate on your behalf. We can also help to prepare you and speak with you regarding life sentences. Contact us today so that an experienced possession of controlled substance lawyer can start working on your case right away.
What Are Controlled Substances?
Controlled substances are classified and determined by the federal government to be substances that are available through a valid prescription or any other legitimate means. Within the Controlled Substances Act, controlled substances get divided into five “schedules” of drugs.
The least dangerous substances are in Schedule V, and the most dangerous substances are placed in Schedule I. In federal drug cases, this classification system applies; moreover, many states have adopted the federal government’s classification system. (21 U.S.C. §§ 801 and following.)
What Are the Controlled Substance Regulations?
The Controlled Substances Act is a statute that establishes federal U.S. drug policy, which regulates the manufacture, possession, importation, distribution, and use of certain substances.
The purpose of the Act is to further research drug abuse and drug dependence, as well as how to prevent them from occurring. Additionally, the Act provides treatment and rehabilitation for drug abusers and people that are drug dependent. It seeks to strengthen law enforcement authority as it pertains to drug abuse.
The Controlled Substances Act has two subchapters; subchapter I defines Schedules I-V and enumerates the list of chemicals used in the manufacturing process of controlled substances.
Furthermore, it differentiates between unlawful and lawful manufacturing, possession, and distribution of controlled substances. That includes possession for the personal use of Schedule I drugs.
Moreover, it goes on to specify the duration of prison terms and the dollar amount of fines for these violations.
Subchapter II deals with the laws governing the exportation and importation of controlled substances. It also outlines the specific fines and prison terms for performing such violations.
Drugs get classified in order of their medical value and the degree to which they can get abused.
You can observe the drug schedule classification system here.
Controlled Substance Charges
There is a varying degree of charges that come with controlled substance laws. Selling is usually punished more severely than possession, and drug trafficking happens to be punished more harshly than selling. Narcotic charges may include the following:
Drug possession: This charge covers the possession of any kind of controlled substance, except marijuana; there are separate charges for this substance.
Drug distribution: This is a charge for selling, delivering, or distributing a controlled substance of any sort, including marijuana. Charges can become worse if you get caught selling drugs to a minor, or you are within a specified radius of a public housing establishment, school, or university.
Substances that fall under this regulation are heroin, opium, cocaine, morphine amphetamines, methamphetamines, and ecstasy.
Manufacturing narcotics: This charge includes the cultivation of plants used to make controlled substances.
Drug trafficking: You can face severe drug trafficking charges if you get accused of the sale, manufacture, or delivery of a set amount of a controlled substance. Drug trafficking carries a serious minimum mandatory sentence.
What are the Penalties Associated With Controlled Substances?
Drug possession charges can vary greatly in regard to the penalties accompanied with the charges. That can depend on the state in which the crime occurred or if there are federal charges involved.
The severity of the punishment depends on several factors. Such factors include the specific kind of drug involved, the criminal history of the offender, and the circumstances having to do with why the drugs were in their possession.
There are harsher penalties for having possession of Schedule I drugs and less severe penalties for Schedule V drugs.
Rehabilitation
Instead of a jail sentence, many states allow courts to sentence drug offenders to a drug treatment program or a period of rehabilitation. Attending a rehabilitation program is sometimes mandatory, with probation sentences.
Fines
Drug possession convictions often result in fines. Fines can range from a minor fine of $100 or less to more considerable fines of $100,000 or more for federal charges.
Incarceration
You can be sentenced to jail and even prison time if convicted of the possession of a controlled substance. Depending on the crime charged, the state’s laws, and the kind of drugs involved— sentences can range from days or weeks to 10 years and even more in prison.
Diversion
Similar to probation, diversion programs are often used with first-time offenders in drug possession cases. By the direction of a prosecutor, diversion allows a drug offender to enter into a behavior modification and counseling program. This requires the offender to comply with specific demands for a certain period, usually about 6 months or more.
Probation
Probation is usually given to offenders in drug possession cases. Probation may include other punishments such as fines, jail time, or rehabilitation like drug treatment. Convicted offenders must comply with all of the conditions or face going to prison.
An Attorney That Knows the Controlled Substance Laws Can Help
If you’re facing a drug charge, you need a controlled substance lawyer. The Zoukis Consulting Group can advise you on your rights and negotiate the details of your sentence. These charges can get extensive, so it’s important to have an experienced lawyer by your side to support you.
Your lawyer will review all available evidence, analyze related legal issues, conduct interviews with witnesses and law enforcement personnel, and build a defense strategy designed to help you obtain the best possible outcome for your case.
Common Legal Defenses to Criminal Drug Charges
Controlled substance lawyers create their defense strategies based on the facts as they relate to the government’s case. While no two legal defense strategies are the same, there are some common defenses your attorney may assert on your behalf.
- No probable cause: Your lawyer may argue that the government did not have probable cause to contact you or to conduct a search in the first place. This defense attacks the legality of the charges and, if successful, could result in your case being dismissed.
- Illegal search and seizure: Another possible defense is that law enforcement’s search and seizure were done in violation of your constitutional rights. If a search or seizure is illegal, any evidence obtained in the process may be suppressed. This may mean that the government no longer has a strong enough case against you and must drop the charges.
- No knowledge/involvement: In some controlled substance cases, defense attorneys can successfully claim that the defendant had no knowledge that the substance in question was illegal and simply was not involved in drug trafficking.
- No criminal possession: If you did not actually have possession of a controlled substance, or if you did have possession but also had a prescription for the substance or otherwise had the legal right to possess it, your lawyer can use these facts in your defense.
Choose a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
The potential consequences of a criminal controlled substance conviction can be significant, involving prison time and financial penalties. There are no guarantees that any defense attorney will be able to “beat the charges” for you. However, a criminal defense lawyer who has knowledge of and experience handling cases in federal courts should be able to help you navigate the charges and process.
Zoukis Consulting Group legal professionals have experience successfully defending against federal criminal charges. We advocate tirelessly for our clients, seeking the most lenient sentencing possible for each case. We also help clients who have already been convicted by handling appeals and fighting for the defendants’ rights.
Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with a Zoukis Consulting Group controlled substance attorney.
Published Feb 15, 2022 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Jul 24, 2023 at 11:24 pm