Unfortunately, drug charges are very common in South Carolina. This may be because our state has some of the strictest drug enforcement laws in the country. According to data shared by The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), overall offenses have reached nearly 50,000 in recent years.

If this statistic concerns you or you are facing drug charges yourself, read on. Attorney Christopher L. Jones clarifies this topic for your information, while providing common defense strategies that could keep you or your loved one out of jail. To learn more about common drug charges and defense strategies, schedule a consultation with Chris Jones Law today.

The Most Common Drug Charges in South Carolina Explained

Simple possession is one of the most common drug charges in our state. This crime involves having a small amount of a controlled substance for personal use, like marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, or fentanyl. Your first offense is typically a misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 30 days in jail for marijuana or up to three years in prison for hard drugs. However, a conviction for possession with intent to distribute (PWID) or drug trafficking is much more serious. This felony could lead to 15 years in prison or a mandatory 25-year sentence, depending on the nature of the offense and the substance.

If you are accused of felony manufacturing and distribution, which involves creating, growing, or selling controlled substances, the penalties are similar to PWID. However, simply having equipment used to consume or distribute drugs, such as a pipe or scale, could result in fines and a 30-day jail sentence.

What Are Effective Defense Strategies for Drug Charges?

Attorney Christopher L. Jones has several effective defense strategies in his repertoire for challenging the most common drug offenses in the state. He may be able to challenge the legality of police procedures, such as 4th Amendment violations. This is often a highly effective defense if law enforcement conducted a traffic stop without reasonable suspicion or failed to obtain a valid warrant, consent, or probable cause prior to a search. In that case, any evidence found may be deemed inadmissible in court.

As well, simply being in a car or house where drugs are found does not automatically mean they are yours. If the drugs were not on your physical person, your defense attorney would argue that you lacked knowledge of their presence nor did you have constructive possession or “dominion and control” over them.

Another successful defense strategy includes utilizing diversion programs for first-time offenders. In South Carolina, first-time offenders convicted of simple possession may be eligible for a conditional discharge or Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI). Once you successfully complete the program, charges are often dropped by the prosecution.

Let Us Discuss Your Drug Charge and How We Could Fight It Together

As a former prosecutor and municipal court judge, attorney Christopher L. Jones is well-versed in common drug charges and defense strategies. If you want a small firm that delivers big results, reach out to Chris Jones Law and schedule a consultation to discuss your charges.