Understanding Drug Possession Laws
The US has been in many decades trying to deal with the issue of narcotics that are found from inside and outside the state. It is essential to know that criminal narcotics are a multi-billion dollar, multifaceted business that is associated with many consequences and effects which find their ways to the streets in America. Criminal narcotics is a business which starts from the manufacturing, distribution as well as selling them to different individuals. You need to understand that each year, many people die due t the effects of criminal drugs. You need to realize that both federal and states laws has it that owning, carrying, holding or any other form of illegal possession of narcotics is a serious crime. Some of the narcotic possession are not that serious as compared to others and the offenders are charged lightly as compared to those who possess other form of drugs due to the effects and illegal activities related to these criminal narcotics. Some individuals are released after paying fines after found guilty of having certain illegal drugs but others are jailed.
Having criminal narcotic is treated as a severe offense and has severe charges in both federal and state level. The severity in a drug possession charge is based on some of the factors which include the drug type, quantity of drug in possession, the intent of the offender, the age of the offender and the location of the crime For example, if a person is found with around five ounce of marijuana in his vehicle, this will be treated as misdemeanor which implies that the crime will not attract harsher penalties. On the other hand, if you are possessing around five pounds of cocaine with the intent of distributing or selling it near a public school, then it is treated as felony and the penalties will be severe. It is vital to know that drug possession and penalties involved are proportional to the offense and the related mitigating factors.
A misdemeanor drug possession is a smaller crime than the felony ones. Narcotic possession charges vary from one country to another. Misdemeanor charges include a low fine, court guidance mandated by the court, community service and probation. Felony drug possession attract a severe penalty as compared to misdemeanor charges. In felony charges, one need to understand that possession and intent to distribute are under this charges. When an individual is in possession of a large number of drugs, then this is treated as felony drug possession. You need to remember that drug possession laws are strict nowadays and sometimes the misdemeanor charges can be termed as a felony depending on the situation and the location of the crime.