The carrying of illegal drugs is a very serious offense in every state. The laws punishing these drug offenses are all derived from federal laws that can result in substantial jail time or fines for small offenses. In some states, the laws are even more severe than they are in others. For those that live in states like this – including California and other large, metropolitan states – the risk of being arrested goes substantially if you are caught carrying illegal drugs.
What Drugs Are Considered Illegal?
The list of illegal drugs is long and includes some items that might not initially seem illegal, or that might be legal for medicinal use. The primary substances that you can be arrested for carrying include hard drugs like Cocaine and Heroin. There are many derivatives of this category, but generally speaking they will all result in similar potential sentences.
Other drugs that straddle a slightly different line include Marijuana, which has started to become legal in some states that allow it for medicinal use. However, if you do not have a prescription, the drug is not considered legal in these states, and even then, there are some lines between what is allowed and what is not.
Other drugs that can result in arrest include certain chemicals that might be used for manufacturing – like the pseudoephedrine or ephedrine found in over the counter products like nasal decongestants. Prescription drugs can also be a problem if you are found to be trafficking or carrying large amounts of them without a prescription.
The Results of a Conviction
What happens to convicted drug offenders will depend on the state in which they are arrested and, in many cases, whether they have any priors related to the case. Multiple drug convictions in a state like California can result in a substantial sentence, even for minor offenses. It is important to know exactly what your rights are and how to avoid the most substantial of potential sentences when a drug offense is related. Due to the convoluted nature of the laws, a lawyer is vital to help navigate possible ways to reduce or avoid conviction. This article is not intended as legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for specific legal advice.