Drug charges are some of the most common reasons that people in the United States receive fines from law enforcement or go to jail. Many people who face these charges are first-time offenders, making the experience of the arrest and the possibility of punishment even scarier.
Here are three types of drug crimes in Mississippi and what they entail.
1. Trafficking drugs
Drug trafficking in Mississippi is based on the amount of controlled substances a person has and the intent to distribute them. The penalties for drug trafficking tend to be more severe than those for possessing or manufacturing an illegal substance. People convicted of trafficking can face up to 40 years in prison or a fine of up to $1,000,000. Aggravated trafficking can carry up to life in prison as well as a fine of $1,000,000.
2. Possessing drugs
Drug possession is one of the most common of these three drug crimes. It involves having any amount of a controlled substance on your person or personal property. Penalties become stiffer depending on how much of a substance a person possesses and whether it is a first-time or subsequent offense. Possession tends to carry lighter penalties than selling or trafficking, but can still be very damaging.
3. Selling drugs/ Possessing Drugs with intent to Distribute
Selling a controlled substance or possessing a controlled substance with intent to Distribute carry the same penalties. They range from 3 years in prison up to 20 years for marijuana, and 8 years to to 30 years for any other Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance, i.e. methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, etc. Schedule 3 and 4, Xanax, hydrocodone, etc. penalties are 5 to 20 years in prison. Schedule 5, codeine cough syrup, penalties are 5 to 15 years in prison.
Trafficking, possessing and selling drugs all carry stiff penalties in Mississippi. When people are aware of what these charges entail, they can take steps to ensure that they do not involve themselves in such activities.