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A criminal drug possession penalty may be the result of possessing any controlled substance or unauthorized prescription medication. Controlled substances can include illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroine, methamphetamines, hallucinogens (such as PCP, LSD, and MDMA/ecstasy) and others. A criminal drug possession penalty is often determined by the type of drug that an offender possessed. Possession of drugs that have a higher potential for abuse or those which have the potential to cause injury or death often results in a harsher drug possession penalty.
A drug possession penalty is also determined by the amount of the drug in possession. Drug possession of larger quantities can be charged as drug possession with the intent to distribute the drug, which can result in a much harsher drug possession penalty. Drug possession penalty rulings are much harsher in these cases and can double in cases where an offender distributes drugs to minors. Drug possession penalty convictions are also much harsher when the crime takes place in close proximity to a day care center, school, or university. A person with previous drug offence convictions will also face a stronger drug possession penalty.
A drug possession penalty is ordered through the criminal justice system. About ninety percent of all cases are settled through guilty pleas and less than ten percent of drug possession penalty cases are determined through an actual trial. Many jurisdictions have drug possession penalty mandatory minimums. This means that a drug possession penalty is determined regardless of an offender’s background, character, role in the crime, or threat to society. In recent years, legislature and social groups nationwide have pushed for treatment drug possession penalty options rather than mandatory incarceration drug possession penalty options for offenders of non-violent drug crimes. These have been proven to be more cost efficient and more effective in lowering rates of recidivism.
A drug possession penalty can include fines, jail or prison time, probation, mandatory treatment programs, and the loss of other rights. According to state drug possession penalty statistics, approximately one third of convicts receive prison time, one-third jail time, and another one-third a probation drug possession penalty sentence. The average number of months of incarceration ordered in a drug possession penalty ranges between 30 and 40 months. The average time that is actually served ranges between six and 20 months. The loss of eligibility for federal grants and loans can also be included in a drug possession penalty.
If you would like to receive more drug possession penalty information, you may wish to contact a qualified and experienced legal expert who can assist you.
The federal government announced yesterday that they have recently received hundreds of court orders reducing the sentences for crack cocaine offenders.
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In a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that judges may use their discretion when imposing sentences in crack cocaine cases. Judges were previously strictly bound by federal sentencing guidelines that required harsher sentences for » Read More
Rep. Timothy Hutchinson, R-Lowell, agreed to postpone discussions of his bill that would stiffen drug possession penalties for pregnant Arkansas women.
Intended to deter the pregnant women from taking drugs, Hutchinson agreed to postpone th...