Possession of a Controlled Substance

Athens Drug Crime Lawyer Defending Against Schedule I Drug Charges

In the United States, drugs and medication are ranked according to their potential for abuse and dependency as well as medical use. Known as “schedules,” these classifications are taken into account when an individual is arrested for a drug-related offense and can be used to determine the type of charges filed (i.e. misdemeanor or felony) as well as the sentence.

Controlled Substance Schedules

The government considers Schedule I substances to be the most dangerous because they have no medical use and are known for being highly addictive.

Some examples of schedule I drugs include:

• LSD
• Heroin
• Peyote
• Ecstasy
• MDMA

The penalties for possessing Schedule I controlled substances could include at least a year in prison, probation, drug rehabilitation and expensive fines. Your license could also be suspended, even if your offense was not driving related. The sentence may be increased if you have a large amount of drugs (this could be classified as “intent to distribute”) or if you were arrested near a school, playground or other drug-free zone.

Drugs that are in a lesser schedule also carry significant penalties, such as incarceration and fines. And, no matter if you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, you could end up with a criminal record that will impact your future.

Fighting a Controlled Substance Possession Offense

If you are arrested for a controlled substance possession charge, there may still be options to mitigate the effect it has on your life. Depending on your situation, you could be eligible for a drug diversion program that would remove the charge from your record after successfully meeting several conditions. A lawyer could even negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf to get the charge reduced.

The Law Offices of J. Lee Webb has a long history in the Athens area. Our Athens drug crime defense lawyer is ready to help fight a controlled substance charge.

To ask him questions about your case, call (706) 705-5122 to schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation.