Different Types of Drugs and Their Consequences
Overview: Drug Charges
Among the adults you know, how many drink coffee regularly? How many consume sodas or enjoy alcoholic beverages? All these substances are mind-altering, so they are defined as drugs. These drugs, though, are accepted and legal. Others are prohibited by the government and are defined in the Controlled Substances Act.
If you’re caught with drugs mentioned in the act, then your freedom will be put at risk. Learn more about the types of drug-related charges, potential punishments and defense strategies you can use below.
Types of Drug-Related Crimes
In short, controlled substances are illegal to possess, sell, manufacture and ingest while driving. As you can imagine, this prohibition has resulted in a number of crimes that you could get charged with. Here’s an overview of a few types of drug-related crimes:
- Possession
- Possession with the intent to sell
- Conspiracy to sell drugs
- Prescription fraud
- Manufacturing a controlled substance
- Possessing paraphernalia associated with controlled substances
- Operating a drug lab
This list is far from comprehensive. Federal, state, and local laws all define different types of drug crimes.
The War on Drugs: Potential Punishments
You may think that possessing or ingesting an illegal substance will be taken lightly by police, but that’s far from the truth. Since the “War on Drugs,” courts no longer view drug use as a victimless crime. That means you’re more likely to be punished rather than rehabilitated in a facility. Here are a few of the penalties you could face if convicted of a drug crime:
- Fines
- Time behind bars
- Court-ordered community service
- Probation
- Court-ordered rehabilitation
Are you looking to fight your charges and prevent these penalties from being imposed on you? If so, then you need to start formulating a defensive argument.
Defense Strategies to Fight Your Charge
There are a few ways you can defend yourself against a drug charge. Here are some of the most common arguments:
- The drugs were discovered during an illegal search and seizure
- A crime lab analysis will reveal the substance isn’t an illegal drug
- The drugs were someone else’s
- Entrapment
- The drugs were planted by someone else
If the police have enough evidence against you, then your best option may be pleading guilty in exchange for reduced penalties. It’s advised that you use your right to hire an attorney to determine what your best options are.
Contact an Experienced Cherry Hill Drug Defense Attorney About Your Drug Crime Charges in New Jersey
Have you been charged with a drug-related offense in New Jersey? A drug crime conviction can carry with it heavy fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension! That is why it is imperative that you speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer about your case. The lawyers at Gelman Law represent clients charged with drug use, possession, production, distribution, and related offenses in Burlington and Camden Counties, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-861-4236 or fill out our confidential online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office located at 1940 Rt. 70 East, Suite 4, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
