August 23, 2022
- Categories:
- Drug Crimes
Being in willful possession or control of a controlled substance could lead to a drug possession charge. Like all other drug charges, possession is a serious offense, and the outcome of your case could have far-reaching consequences.
If convicted, you might end up in jail, not to mention the collateral damages a conviction could have on your quality of life. Your career and reputation may greatly suffer if you are found guilty, and a criminal record can follow you for a long time.
Drug possession penalties
Alabama laws classify controlled substances into five schedules. Schedule I drugs are those with a high potential for abuse, have no accepted medical use and are generally unsafe, such as heroin, while Schedule V drugs are those with the lowest risk of dependency and are medically useful.
Usually, the amount of the controlled substance in question and its schedule matter in a drug possession charge — the higher the schedule, the more serious the penalties upon a conviction. In addition, a drug possession charge can either be a felony or a misdemeanor, with varying degrees of punishment. It all depends on the facts of your case.
For instance, if you are arrested with a small amount of marijuana for personal use, you might face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to one year in prison and a $6,000 fine. However, if the amount of marijuana is not for personal use, that’s a felony offense, and you could face up to ten years in jail and a $15,000 fine.
Fighting against a drug possession charge
As the defendant in a drug possession charge, avoiding a conviction is in your best interests. To achieve this, you first need to have an in-depth understanding of how the criminal justice system works and the laws applicable to your case before formulating a defense strategy.
To position yourself for the best possible outcome, consider seeking necessary legal help as soon as possible to protect your rights and interests.
Attorney Brad Hawley
Attorney Brad Hawley possesses years of practical experience focused on bankruptcy, civil and criminal defense. He has prosecuted and defended clients in state court, and is a former enlisted member of the United States Army. Brad is driven by his desire to help people that have been hurt by the legal system, and is dedicated to fixing injustices he sees around him. [ Attorney Bio ]