Charged with a marijuana-related drug crime?
South Carolina is one state that still treats drug crimes quite seriously. This includes marijuana-related drug crimes. If you find yourself facing drug charges for marijuana possession, sale or trafficking, sit tight — you may have a long legal battle ahead of you.
This state is one that has yet to decriminalize simple marijuana possession. It also has failed to pass legislation regarding medical marijuana, and there are no plans to pass such legislation in the near future. What are the state’s current laws regarding marijuana drug crimes?
Marijuana laws
If found with marijuana in your possession, you may face charges for possession, sales or trafficking. It all comes down to how much you had on you, in your car, in your home or in your general vicinity when police arrested you, and what you intended to do with the drug — if indeed it was yours. Current consequences for these crimes are:
- Simple possession : This is a misdemeanor offense. Consequences range from six months in jail or a fine of $1,000 — or both — to one year in jail or a fine of $2,000 — or both.
- Sale : This is a felony-level offense, punishable anywhere from five to 20 years behind bars or fines ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 — or both. An exception to this is selling to a minor. That is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of $10,000 and incarceration up to 10 years.
- Trafficking : This, too, is a felony-level offense. Penalties for trafficking are undoubtedly the most severe. Punishments range from one to 30 years behind bars and fines anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000.
Clearly, a conviction on any of these crimes could drastically affect your life both in the short and long term. Thankfully, you do not have to sit by and just take whatever punishment the court deems fit.
Defend yourself
Knowledge is power, and knowing that South Carolina is not going to treat your marijuana-related drug crime charge with any level of leniency can help decide how to best tackle your case. This is something that you do not have to do alone. With the assistance of legal counsel, you can pursue a legal defense that will help you achieve the best outcome possible under the circumstances — whether that is seeking a case dismissal or seeking a reduction in charges and penalties.