Drug Crimes

Drug Crimes

Drug crimes are a significant focus for law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Drug crimes can be very detrimental to society, even those who believe these crimes do not affect them, through death and injuries, health care costs for issues related to drug use and drug treatment, and ramifications of criminal drug acts.

There are a number of local, state, and federal laws regarding drug crimes. Almost every law somehow prohibits the manufacturing, possession, or selling of illegal drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana. Other types of illegal drugs include prescription drugs such as painkillers or anti-anxiety medicines that are used by anyone other than the original patient.

Manufacturing drugs refers to actually cultivating or creating drugs, such as those who grow marijuana plants or cook methamphetamine through a chemical process in their homes. The most common type of drug charge is for possession of drugs, meaning that the defendant knowingly possessed a controlled substance, without a valid prescription, and intended to use the drug for personal use or for selling. In addition to having the drugs on their person, the defendant can be charged for possession if the drugs are in their home, car, or other place where they have access, such as a work or school locker. Having drug paraphernalia such as a crack pipe and heroin syringe can sometimes be serious enough to warrant a drug possession charge.

Distribution of drugs means that the defendant intended to sell illegal drugs. Trafficking is a more serious version of distribution because it usually involves a large amount of drugs that will cross state lines or be imported from another country. The charges for distribution and trafficking will depend upon the type and amount of drugs, the criminal record of the defendant, and sometimes where the drugs are distributed. Distributing drugs close to a school or park can carry higher penalties.

Federal laws tend to be stricter than local or state laws regarding drug crimes. Local charges are usually for possession and carry fines, probation, or a small amount of jail time. Federal charges are usually for distribution or trafficking and the charges often include prison time.