Drug Possession Charges

Drug Crime Lawyers in Columbia

Possessing any controlled dangerous substance (CDS) as defined by South Carolina State legislation is strictly illegal and may constitute the crime of drug possession. Knowing what the criminal justice system considers possession and what is an illegal drug can help you fight any charges you might be facing.

Possession can be defined by the law in several ways:

• On your person
• In your vehicle
• Within your private property (ex: bedroom)
• Anywhere you reasonably should have known drugs to be

An illicit substance may be defined as any:

• Substance that is dangerous and has no medical use
• Drug that is addictive with no medical use
• Substance obtained through illegal means
• Prescription drug that is intentionally abused

Has law enforcement arrested and accused you of a possession crime? Your future freedoms and finances are in jeopardy. Contact a trustworthy Columbia criminal defense attorney from Masella Law Firm, P.A. as soon as you can to get started on your necessary defense.

Varied Penalties for Possession Convictions

The law enters a bit of an undisclosed, undefined area when it comes to actually penalizing those accused and convicted of drug possession crimes in South Carolina. The punishments will vary significantly between what substance is in question, how much was allegedly found, and even where the crime allegedly took place. In general, most possession charges will be considered either a high-level misdemeanor or a low-level felony. Both can carry penalties equal to a year or more in jail and a couple thousand dollars in fine, just for having as little as an ounce of a certain CDS in your pocket.

Responsive Legal Counsel Fighting to Clear Your Name

A drug possession charge may be quite innocuous in relation to many other criminal violations but it can still defame you to the point where your livelihood is severely damaged. Reacting quickly after your arrest can be one of the best ways to gain an advantage over the prosecution.