Every state has laws regarding cocaine-related crimes. South Carolina is certainly no exception. As cocaine use, sale, manufacturing and trafficking are all serious problems in the state, those accused of taking part in such offenses will face stiff penalties under state and/or federal law, if convicted. Thankfully, those accused can seek the assistance of legal counsel to help them fight their cases.
Punishments for cocaine-related crimes can vary greatly. It all really depends on the crime of which one stands accused, possession amount and intent. A few examples of cocaine-related crimes and their state level punishments include:
- Sale: Is a felony offense, punishable up to 15 years imprisonment and fines up to $100,000. Prison time may be increased if drugs were sold to a minor or near a school.
- Simple possession: Is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $5,000.
- Trafficking: Is a felony offense, punishable up to 30 years imprisonment without probation and fines up to $200,000.
In simple possession cases, it may be possible to have one’s case moved to drug court, which offers rehabilitation rather than punishment. The requirements to do this are quite strict, though. One’s legal counsel will be able to provide more information about this topic.
A conviction on a cocaine-related crime can have a significantly negative impact on one’s life. Both South Carolina and federal law call for penalties that are quite severe. If accused of a crime involving cocaine, one might feel there is little hope in achieving a positive outcome. However, with the help of an experienced attorney, one can achieve the best outcome possible for his or her circumstances.
Source: FindLaw, “South Carolina Cocaine Laws“, Accessed on March 29, 2017