Drug charges can carry significant consequences, especially on the federal level. If you have been charged in federal court with committing a drug offense, the highly experienced federal criminal attorneys at Ellis Hinton could answer your questions and walk you through the defense process.
Our skilled attorneys are former state and federal prosecutors with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the legal system. To learn more, schedule an initial consultation with our Spartanburg federal drug lawyer today. Our law office is based in Greenville, servicing SC and beyond.
A controlled substance is a drug or substance that the government controls due to its high risk of being abused or addictive. When misused, this type of substance may have a determinantal impact on a person’s health and well-being.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is responsible for regulating and classifying controlled substances. This classification along with the amount of drugs possessed is crucial as it determines the severity of the punishment for illicit use or possession of the controlled substance.
The Controlled Substance Act found at Title 21 of the United States Code places all regulated substances under federal law into five categories. When determining how a controlled substance should be scheduled, considered factors include substance use, potential for abuse, and scientific information regarding the drug.
Schedule I drugs have a higher potential for abuse and addiction. These have no currently acceptable medical use and include substances such as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD.
Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and may cause severe dependence, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
Schedule III drugs have a moderate to low potential for dependence. Examples are ketamine, testosterone, and anabolic steroids.
Schedule IV drugs have a low potential for abuse and dependence, including drugs such as Valium, Tramadol, and Xanax.
Schedule V drugs, like Lomotil, Motofen, and Lyrica, have a lower potential for abuse than the other categories.
These lists are intended as general references and are not comprehensive listings of all controlled substances.
Common drug offenses that could result in a federal charge include, but are not limited to, controlled substances that are:
Each federal drug charge is serious in nature and can result in severe punishment for offenders. The Spartanburg attorneys with Ellis Hinton will build a solid defense against a drug charge based on our collective knowledge and experience in the federal criminal defense system.
Someone charged with a federal drug crime may be looking at significant jail time and substantial fines under 21 U.S. Code 841. Penalties for drug crimes can vary depending on the quantity of the drug that is possessed, prior criminal history, and any injuries that resulted from the drug use.
Many drug charges in federal court require mandatory sentences. If a person is charged with a federal drug crime that has a mandatory minimum prison sentence, they will not be able to have their incarceration time suspended. Instead, they will likely be required to serve time in federal prison and pay a substantial fine.
Spartanburg lawyers Sloan Ellis and Brandi Hinton offer their combined legal knowledge handling federal drug cases and could explain the potential penalties for your drug charges.
Ellis Hinton’s Spartanburg federal drug lawyers have a proven track record of successfully getting clients favorable outcomes.
As former federal prosecutors, our team will use our collective practice to guide you through the criminal legal system. Contact our criminal defense attorneys today to review your case.
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