In South Carolina, being charged with a drug-related offense is a serious matter. If convicted, you could lose your job, struggle to find future employment or even have your housing options limited. Aside from that, you could be fined, sent to prison or even lose any professional licenses you might hold. In short, a drug conviction can dramatically alter your life.

The severity of the penalties you might face depend largely on the offense you have been charged with. For example, trafficking and manufacturing drugs can often carry far harsher sentences than possession. However, this does not mean that possession charges are any less damaging to your future. As such, a good defense is critical.

But how is possession determined by authorities? After all, just because drugs are found in your house or car, does that mean they are yours? As this article on drug charges explains, prosecutors need to prove possession beyond any reasonable doubt for you to be convicted. This means showing that not only did you know that the substance was in your possession, but also that it was an illegal drug.

Of course, proving this one way or another can be difficult, so it is vital to do all you can to preserve any reasonable doubt that may help your defense. An attorney may be able to help you identify details that could work in your favor. He or she may also be able to support you during your trial and help you work toward avoiding conviction and protecting your future.