What Are The Two Most Common Types Of Drug Offenses?

You may be surprised to learn that 1 in 5 inmates are there for drug-related offenses. This data makes it obvious that the “war on drugs” has always been a reality.

It also demonstrates the significant repercussions that might result from being charged with any form of drug offense. But not all medicines are handled in a relatively similar way.

Based on what you possess and what the government thinks you plan to do with it, the charges might be very different. What you really want to learn about the numerous drug offenses is provided here.

The 2 Most Popular Drug Charge Types

Paraphernalia and possession charges are the two most frequent drug-related offenses. Charges might range from a smack on the hand to significant jail time, based on the sort and amount of the substance you’re working with.

Paraphernalia

The National Drug Intelligence Center defines paraphernalia as any tool, item, or chemical of any kind that is mainly meant or created for use in creating, blending, converting, hiding, generating, processing, arranging, injecting, consuming, smoking, or otherwise incorporating a dangerous drug into the human body.

This comprises, but is not restricted to, the following:

•         Cigarettes blunts, and pipes
•         Syringes
•         Burnt utensils with broken straws
•         Brown paper bags
•         Crushers, scales

Ownership, selling, trafficking, or exhibition of drug paraphernalia are all possible charges. With the exception of the third offense, all of these accusations are misdemeanors.

Possession

Possession of marijuana is another frequent allegation. Depending in part on the sort of substance you have, different states have different rules governing this particular drug offense.

For instance, getting found with a pouch of heroin is usually considerably harsher than getting caught with a single little marijuana spliff.

And although you don’t have any substances on you, you might still face possession prosecution. If the police discover the narcotics on your worker, they will prosecute you with “actual possession of drugs.” The “constructive possession of narcotics” allegation, however, might also be brought against you if authorities think you were aware of their existence.

Anybody charged with drug possession in New Jersey will want to employ the best New Jersey federal drug crime defense attorneys possible to represent them, given these extremely severe consequences.

Delivery and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Of a Controlled Substance

Ownership of a restricted drug with the intent to supply it and deliver it is basically the very same crime. In essence, there are 2 approaches to demonstrate the same point.

To put it differently, attempting to supply a restricted drug is what is meant by possession with the intent to distribute.

Either quantity of narcotics will be sufficient for this offense if the other parts of the felony can be shown, as there is no weight threshold needed for the narcotics in this case. As a result, small drug dealers—who often don’t have significant amounts of narcotics on them at any given time—are frequently accused of this crime.

The government should establish anything more than a possible suspicion that a defendant intentionally supplied, provided, or had in their possession a controlled drug with the purpose of selling or supplying it in order to get a prosecution for this crime.

Remember that a drug is considered to be restricted if it appears on the federal schedule of prohibited drugs. These sorts of situations, which may be risky and contentious, can entail a planned buy and private informants.

Many people are shocked to learn that actions that seem innocent can result in this crime. For instance, it is illegal to provide a restricted drug if a person gives someone else their prescribed medication (even just one pill). The same goes for having shared marijuana treats at a gathering or handing around joints.

Manufacturing a controlled substance illegally

Someone had to create every dosage of a restricted drug that was bought, owned, or ingested unlawfully.

As is frequently the case with painkillers and other prescribed medications, there are instances where production is permitted, but distribution and usage are prohibited.

Similar to this, marijuana may be cultivated lawfully in some states, although it is unlawfully brought there and sold there.

However, manufacture is frequently prohibited as well. Cannabis hydroponics in a person’s home and unauthorized cannabis farms are frequent examples of unlawful manufacture of a prohibited drug.

In the United States, phencyclidine, sometimes referred to as PCP or mushrooms, is frequently cultivated domestically.

The chemicals and tools needed to make crystal meth may be found in supermarkets, construction, home renovation, and pharmacies, making it a popular practice in the United States.

However, the materials needed to make opium, fentanyl, and cocaine can be cultivated more readily outside of the US. As a result, these medications are typically smuggled across the border after being produced abroad.

For instance, opium plants, which are used to make heroin, may be cultivated in the U.s, but it is very hard to do so undetected. As a result, the opium plant is primarily produced in undeveloped nations like Afghanistan.

The cocaine plant, which is indigenous to South America, is also used to make cocaine. Another artificial opioid that is frequently supplied from Mexico is fentanyl.

Are you or a loved one being investigated by the police on drug-related charges? While having a basic awareness of the various drug offenses and the associated punishments is a fantastic place to start, you now truly need a strong defense lawyer.

Pay a visit to The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, where you will find one of the best and most experienced defense lawyers in New Jersey.

Trafficking Of Drugs

Most major drug offenses include drug trafficking. It consists of delivering a banned drug (or possessing one with the intent to provide one) and having the drugs weigh at least a certain amount.

Depending on how much weight the substances have, several states categorize drug trafficking to varying extents, such as drug trafficking 1st Degree and 2nd Degree.

Various medications have varying weight requirements. Drug trafficking, for instance, often requires a very substantial quantity of marijuana—say, 29 kilos or more.

On the other hand, according to the state, it can be less than a hundred grams for opiates, ecstasy, coke, and Acid.

Frequently, U. S. Attorneys are tasked with prosecuting drug smuggling cases in federal court; compared to state court; the punishments are frequently severe.

According to federal law, having any of the mentioned quantities of narcotic drugs in your possession is enough to be charged with drug trafficking: a hundred grams of heroin, five hundred grams of coke, twenty-eight grams of coke base, ten grams of PCP, one gram of LSD, forty grams of fentanyl, hundred kilograms of cannabis, and five grams of crystal meth.

Any combination or substance satisfying the weight criteria and including a measurable level of the banned narcotic will do as such quantities don’t need to be pure and nearly often aren’t.

The Repercussions of a First Offense

First-time drug offenders can expect to avoid imprisonment sentences entirely. This may occur occasionally, but anticipating it is not a good idea. The likelihood of non-incarceration applies to certain drug offenses, such as third- and fourth-degree felonies, and justices are instructed to take this into account when sentencing offenders.

The accuser’s demeanor in the courtroom, the details surrounding the arrest, and if further changes were made complicate this assumption, which is regrettable. 

Enlisting in a diversionary program could well be effective in helping first-time drug offenders prevent being convicted (see below). These programs are challenging to enroll in and may not necessarily be the ideal option.

It is, therefore, crucial to always retain a skilled defense lawyer if you are accused of using drugs. A lawyer will be capable of reviewing the case’s facts and identifying the course of action that has the best possibility of preventing prosecution and/or prison sentence.

Children’s Repercussions

Children and teenagers who are caught with any form of substance might be in more danger than they think. Drug-related convictions for minors include the possibility of a sentence that includes time spent in a juvenile detention center.

Additionally, the conviction may make it extremely challenging for him or her to get employment, disqualify them from receiving certain grants, and restrict them from enrolling in the school of their choice.

And to make matters worse, these effects may last far into adult years. For each of these causes, as well as others, it is preferable to work with a knowledgeable lawyer to fight a drug conviction or have it dropped to a smaller violation with less serious penalties.

Drug Court and Rehabilitation

Inside jail is the very final place a drug abuse sufferer should be. It is inappropriate to portray someone with substance abuse as a felon. He or she has to be enrolled in a drug recovery program that can aid in recuperation.

Drug addiction counseling may be a prerequisite for diversionary programs like the ones above. Nevertheless, Drug Court could be a better option for some individuals.

Conclusion

A New Jersey drug offenses lawyer should be contacted as early as you can if you have been detained in the New Jersey region in order to safeguard your freedom. They can assist you with getting the finest outcomes in your illegal substance case, regardless if this is your first violation or you have previously been accused. Start developing your case right now.