Drug addiction can become a negative drive in a person’s life. Dependence on illicit substances results in an influence on the mental and physical state of an individual. The government aims to guard the general public against the tough effects of drug abuse and ignites the campaign against drugs through the laws enforced on the land. Drug possession charges are made against people that possess illegal substances. The penalties that will be given to an individual is determined on the quantity of the substance that was involved as well as the intention behind possessing illegal drugs.

The charges involved in drug cases would be identified counting on the possession with intent to deliver. The penalties can range from light penalties to a decade-long time in the prison. If the person possesses, sells, manufactures, or transports drugs, he or she is going to be subjected to the law. However, not everyone who possesses illicit substances has any illegal intent in carrying them. Some people use it for medical purposes. Regardless of what things are, an individual getting charges need an experienced drug defense attorney to assist the defendant in getting a lighter sentence.

What is a controlled substance?

A drug refers to the sort of medicine that is under the rigid surveillance and control of the government. The rationale for the strict government restrictions is thanks to the drugs’ ability to influence a person’s state of mind and physiological state. These types of illegal substances can cause a dependency that will lead to addiction or abuse. The control of the authorities is applied to the way the substance was stored, distributed, handled, and used.

The types of substances that are restricted by the authorities are steroids, stimulants, hallucinogens, depressants, and opioids. Substances like Ritalin, Valium, and morphine are used for medical purposes and may only be released by medical personnel with a license. Illicit drugs like LSD and heroin haven't any medical use which makes the substances completely illegal.

What are the legal repercussions of drugs?

People or individuals that are involved in the illegal trade and possession of controlled substances are going to be subjected to varied consequences. The prisons and jails across the US are crammed with convicts with drug possession charges. The penalties associated with drug crimes are heavy fines, community service, probation, jail time, and possible confinement counting on the character of the case. The worst sentence with a drug case is that the incontrovertible fact that an individual will have a record regardless of how light the penalties are. An individual convicted of a drug crime will have a record that will make it difficult to get employed, loan approvals, and lots more.

Illegal vs Legal Substances

The legal use of a drug depends on the usage of the substance and therefore the application it's used for. An example is an amphetamine where it's used for medical purposes like treating attention deficit disorder. Marijuana is another substance that has legal use on them. Marijuana can help relieve some cancer-induced nausea. Barbiturates are used to help treat anxiety. If these substances are gained illegally and with unsupervised usage, they will present a risk to the person and therefore the public. This is why the law is always making sure that the use of those drugs is regulated to avoid any addiction or abuse to the substance.

Federal and State Drug Laws

The United States is one of the many countries that have been fighting against illegal drugs for a long time. This is to avoid any addiction or abuse of illicit drugs. Consistent with PewTrusts.org, most of the federal convictions are associated with drug traffic. State and native arrests are totally on drug charges. an enormous portion of these local charges is said to marijuana possession charges.

One of the major differences between state laws and federal laws is the intensity of the sentences when it involves drug cases. Federal charges would cause longer jail time and harsher penalties. State arrests, especially when the case is usually on simple possession are often charged with a misdemeanor and have probation in line. Getting a state conviction will get you to pay a fine or a shorter time in jail. The state sentences are often differentiated based on the criminal history of the person.

People facing drug possession charges are advised to work with a drug defense attorney. A defense lawyer can help the defendant navigate through the method and help negotiate a lighter sentence or penalty. The system is often confusing especially for new timers in court but a lawyer can help the client to ease into the system and obtain better results for the parties involved.

Author's Bio: 

I am Eva Braughly, a mother who uses writing to share information on various societal issues, home improvements, DIY, health, earning opportunities, lifestyle, family, motherhood– in other words, life itself.