Greenville, SC Drug Crimes Lawyers

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN GREENVILLE

The U.S. government has dedicated a myriad of resources to the war on drugs, so individuals are often charged disproportionately to their offense. Unfortunately, South Carolina falls much further on the conservative side for these kinds of charges than most states. FR Law’s legal team is determined to protect your future and minimize the damage of these charges. Having an experienced Greenville criminal defense attorney on your team is the only way to ensure that your rights and interests are protected in South Carolina.

At FR Law, we have helped many clients charged with possession of prescription drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, prescription drug fraud, sale of drugs, sale of drug paraphernalia, and other drug crimes beat their charges and we can help you, too. To schedule a free no-obligation consultation, contact our criminal defense law firm in Greenville today at (864) 668-1661 or click the link at the bottom of the page.

What are the Criminal Penalties for Drug Offenses in Greenville, South Carolina?

As experienced drug offense attorneys in Greenville, we deal with many clients facing several criminal penalties. Sometimes, the law is reasonably clear, but often, things can become murky. The criminal penalties you might face for a drug offense in Greenville, South Carolina could vary based on the drug, the offense, and how much of it you have.

For example, possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana may cause up to 30 days in prison and a minimum fine of $100. Larger offenses such as distribution and manufacture carry a jail time of 5 years in prison and a heavy fine of $5,000. Trafficking of marijuana could cause 10 years in time and a hefty fine of up to $10,000.

What about Search Warrants for Drug Crimes in Greenville, South Carolina?

If a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that you have drugs on you, the officer can search you for contraband. A police officer can search you even if you’re being arrested for something else at the time of the arrest. However, to search your car or home, law enforcement officers must have your consent or possess a search warrant. No one should be pressured to give consent, but if consent to a search and drugs are found in your home, you have limited legal rights and should seek the advice of an experienced drug crime lawyer.

A search warrant is legal documentation that’s signed by a judge and gives law enforcement officers the authority to enter your property. When police officers effectuate a search warrant, they must knock on the door and announce themselves before they enter your home.

What are the Common Types of Drug Offenses in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, your drug charge could be classified into any of the following categories:

1. Drug possession. You might be charged with actual possession, simple possession, or constructive possession. This means that drugs were found to be in your car, home, or another place in your immediate vicinity.
2. Possession with intent to distribute. If law enforcement officers find drugs to be in a sufficient quantity, it’s assumed that you intended to distribute or sell them.
3. Manufacturing of drugs. This entails cultivating, producing, and/or preparing illegal drugs for distribution or personal use.
4. Drug trafficking. For a person to be charged with drug trafficking, the drugs must weigh a certain amount. 
5. Drug conspiracy. This occurs when there was an explicit or implicit agreement between you and other people to engage in criminal activity, such as selling or distributing drugs in an open-air market.

It’s essential to note that you can be prosecuted through the state courts and also the federal district courts. Choosing to work with a drug criminal defense lawyer in Greenville can improve your odds of having all the pertinent information about your specific drug charge.

How Can a Greenville Drug Charge Attorney Help?

The government dedicates a ton of resources to the war on drugs. Thus, many people are caught up in large sting operations or overcharged. Our criminal defense team has extensive experience dealing with federal drug charges. These charges demand a dedicated drug crime attorney who is familiar with government agencies, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and federal court procedures. Our experienced attorneys frequently represent clients facing drug charges for drug checks at Interstate 85. Our defense team will explore all possible defense strategies, including the validity of traffic stops, searches, and seizure issues.

A felony drug conviction can result in jail time, and the public criminal record will affect your future negatively. Often, our skilled attorneys can intervene with the prosecutor to get your charges dismissed, reduced to a lesser offense, or to take incarceration off of the table.

Further, it’s essential that the prosecutor knows that your criminal defense lawyer will take your case to trial if necessary. At FR Law, our defense team has tried cases in many counties across South Carolina and we’ve successfully represented clients in several high-profile criminal prosecutions. Our tenacity, extensive experience, and aggressive approach to your defense make us an ideal choice if you or a loved one are facing any type of drug charge.