Drug sale charges must be carefully handled because they come with serious penalties through the court system and some collateral consequences in society. There are several different types of charges a person might face if they are caught with drugs in their possession.
On the lower end of the spectrum is the drug possession charge, which is typically reserved for situations that involve only enough of the drug for personal use. These cases can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the type of drugs and the quantity that the person has in their possession when they are stopped.
A person who has more drugs in their possession than what’s appropriate for personal use can face a charge for possession with the intent to distribute. The penalties of this charge are more serious than those for simple possession. They are typically felony charges, so a conviction can require the defendant to be classified as a felon for life.
Drug trafficking charges are associated with massive amounts of drugs, as well as cases that involve drugs being transported over state lines. These charges come with longer imprisonment terms than other drug-related crimes.
One of the best things that you can do if you’re facing drug charges is to work on your defense as early in the case as possible. This gives you time to consider the options you have so that you can make the decisions you feel are in your best interests. This may include alternative programs that enable you to bypass the traditional court process while still resolving the matter positively.