Drug Crimes in South Carolina

Crimes associated with illegal drugs are very serious and can have many repercussions for the defendant. Law enforcement is very strict when it comes to illegal drugs, and they have the right to lessen a person’s ability to defend themselves against charges though forfeiture laws. The government can seize a person’s assets or property if they can show that it is reasonably related to the drug charges. This means that a person’s access to their money in a bank account can be frozen, their cars can be impounded, and their homes can be taken over. It is vitally important for defendants to seek the help of an attorney immediately when charged with a crime related to drugs.

There are many types of illegal drug crimes, including:

· Possession of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, or methamphetamine

· The growth (marijuana) or manufacturing (methamphetamine labs) of illegal drugs

· Drug trafficking

· Possession of illegal drugs with the intent to sell

· Illegal possession of a prescription drug (such as using someone else’s information to get a legal drug or stealing a legal drug that is prescribed to someone else)

· Selling prescription drugs.

In some cases, if drugs are found in a car or home, the owner of that property can be charged with a drug crime, even if they are truly innocent of possession. Often law enforcement will target a person with suspected ties to a key player in the drug trade. Once the person is arrested and charged with a crime, the prosecution will try and broker a deal to reduce their sentence in exchange for access to the bigger criminal.

Penalties for drug crimes can be harsh. They include fines and often jail time, even for first or “minor” offenses. These convictions will then show up on the defendant’s permanent record, which can make it difficult to gain employment, receive credit, or lease an apartment.

People who are charged with crimes related to drugs are encouraged to immediately contact an attorney who specializes in developing successful defense strategies. Every person is innocent until proven guilty and deserves to have legal representation.