As in most cities throughout the country, drug charges in Charleston are among the most serious criminal offenses. A drug charge conviction could have a devastating impact on your life, making it important to fight back with an experienced legal team who knows how to build a strong legal defense.
The dedicated drug attorneys from Adams & Bischoff could draw on our expertise and practical skills to help you navigate the criminal justice system. We could work to help you fight for the best possible outcome given the evidence.
What Are Some of the Most Common Drug Charges in Charleston?
Because local area government officials, police officers, and prosecutors are tough on drug crimes, people in Charleston could face criminal charges for different types of drug-related offenses.
Possession
If the police find someone in possession of a controlled substance, they could incur criminal charges unless they have a valid prescription from an authorized medical provider allowing them to legally possess that drug.
Possession with Intent to Distribute
Another common charge that individuals are subject to is distribution or possession with intent to distribute. Often, people can face these charges if they have a large quantity of drugs or if those drugs are packaged in what appears to be individual sale lots.
Manufacturing
South Carolina could charge someone with manufacturing drug offenses if the state can prove that the person produced or processed drugs for someone other than themselves.
Trafficking
The crime of trafficking involves the possession, production, transportation, sale, or bringing into the state of controlled or illicit substances. Typically, trafficking charges involve very large quantities of drugs. The amount of drug required to trigger trafficking charges can vary depending on the drug in question.
For example, you could face trafficking charges for possessing ten pounds of marijuana or for possessing only ten grams of cocaine. If you have less than the requisite amount of the controlled substance, you could still face possession charges, but not trafficking.
Conspiracy
To obtain a drug conspiracy conviction, the prosecution must prove that you made a plan or entered into an agreement with at least one other person to do something unlawful with drugs.
Federal Drug Crimes
In addition to facing state charges, some people also risk federal drug charges. Federal charges are often more serious and can involve crimes on federal property, trafficking drugs across state lines, or particularly large quantities of a controlled substance.
Our knowledgeable Charleston attorneys could explain what kind of penalties you could potentially be sentenced to for any alleged drug charge.
How to Defend Against Drug Charges
Mounting a successful defense in Charleston against any type of drug charge requires working with a steadfast legal team who has a proven track record of success with these types of crimes. Our seasoned lawyers could review the evidence, perform our own independent and detailed investigation, and help you evaluate which strategy may be the most effective.
Depending on the facts, one potentially strong defense that our well-practiced legal team could use is to help you dispute the charges by attacking the method in which the police performed the initial search and seizure that led to the discovery of the drugs. If you are facing distribution or trafficking charges, our determined legal team could help you argue that you had no intent to sell or distribute those drugs. Although you might still encounter possession charges, the resulting penalties would be significantly less.
Contact a Charleston Attorney About Drug Charges
Facing drug charges in Charleston can cause you to experience fear and confusion. Fortunately, you do not have to handle these charges by yourself. An unstoppable local lawyer could help you create a strong defense strategy against the prosecution’s evidence.
Contact a proactive attorney at Adams & Bischoff today to get started. We could work tirelessly to protect your rights.