Blog Posts - Drug charges
What Defenses Can Be Used in a Drug Charge Case?
Drug-related offenses are some of the most common to go through the South Carolina criminal justice system. Whether you have been charged with simple possession, possession with intent to distribute, or drug trafficking, South Carolina law imposes harsh penalties for defendants prosecuted under the law. Factual or legal defenses may be available to you when…
READ MOREAre There Different Types of Drug Charges?
The State of South Carolina takes drug charges very seriously, and they come in a range of types and levels that span from misdemeanors to felonies. Factors that play a role in the charge include the kind of drug involved, the amount, and whether or not the offense is your first. If you’re facing a…
READ MOREBill could lead to harsher penalties after drug overdoses
In South Carolina and across the United States, opioids are garnering significant attention. This is understandable given the number of people who are having problems with these types of drugs. Specifically, fentanyl is drawing scrutiny from state and federal law enforcement with regular investigations and arrests being made. People who are alleged to be involved…
READ MORESouth Carolina man pleads guilty to federal charges
A convicted felon faces seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm as well as marijuana possession with intent to distribute. James Eric Hampton, Jr., of Columbia, admitted to selling marijuana when the University of South Carolina Police seized one ounce of marijuana packed in baggies from his car in…
READ MOREDabbling in marijuana can be a risky decision
Sure, you may have made some risky decisions in the past. Perhaps you dabbled in marijuana while in college but have since cleaned up your act. You graduated, got a steady job with a reputable company and were able to support your family. Still, marijuana use did not seem too serious especially given that states…
READ MOREWhat are your rights if you deal with campus police?
Students often make jokes about the campus police. But college students may ignore the role campus police have with protecting them. Student may also seriously underestimate the real world and potentially long-term consequences of an arrest or investigation by campus police and should be aware of the important rights they possess. Remain silent The Fifth…
READ MOREFour powerful defense options in your drug-related case
Drug charges, especially those pertaining to drug trafficking, can threaten to upend your life as you know it. If you’re convicted on these serious allegations, then you face the very real possibility of prison time and a criminal record that may haunt you for the rest of your life. We know that’s scary, which is…
READ MORECollege students dabbling in drugs may face criminal charges
Going to college is often a young person’s first taste of independence, but young adults in South Carolina can make mistakes and get caught up in the partying culture of drugs and alcohol. Some may even go as far as dabbling in selling drugs to make a little extra cash. However, drug distribution is a…
READ MOREDrug use can harm higher education opportunities
You worked hard to get into the college of your choice. You even earned a scholarship or received federal aid to help you pay for it. Life was going great, and then it happened. You found yourself charged with illegal drug use. Now, you are wondering how this may affect everything. The state of South…
READ MOREDoctor at the center of prescription drug case is going to prison
Medical providers in South Carolina and elsewhere try to do what they believe is best for their patients. In doing so, though, they sometimes cross lines that can have criminal consequences. If convicted, those consequences can be severe. Recently, a doctor in a nearby state received a prison sentence for the illegal distribution of prescription…
READ MOREClassifications and what they mean for federal drug cases
Charges involving the use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of prescription drugs are serious. A conviction can lead to penalties that can change the course of your life, and the right way to confront these charges includes developing a strong defense. This is particularly important in federal cases where the stakes are high…
READ MORELaw changes can impact drug testing and criminal cases
Drug charges are serious, and a conviction can greatly impact a South Carolina defendant’s life for years to come. Because of the implications of these types of charges, the way law enforcement handles and tests for substances is important. Thanks to new changes in the law, this issue is more important than ever. Hemp is…
READ MOREWhen healthy competition turns to a “study drug” addiction
Some would say that a little competition is healthy. It forces people out of their comfort zones, and allows them to push themselves harder and grow in order to succeed. In the academic world of secondary education, it could ultimately help students reach their goals for the future. That is, until that competition becomes unhealthy….
READ MOREYou do not feel impaired. Could you still face DUI charges?
No one wants to end up pulled over by a police officer after having a fun night out. Of course, officers have a job to do, and you could be the one who ends up in their line of sight for whatever initial reason. If an officer stops your vehicle and suspects that you are…
READ MOREDifferences between drug possession and possession with intent
You’re driving along, are pulled over and now you’re in a jam. You’ve got drugs in the car and don’t know what to do. In South Carolina, cops don’t need evidence of drug dealer paraphernalia to charge you for possession with intent to sell if the amount of drugs your carrying is a certain weight…
READ MORECollege scandal leads to fraud and conspiracy charges
The college admissions scandal has resulted in unprecedented – and extremely serious – felony charges. “Operation Varsity Blues” led to grand jury indictments of dozens of parents, coaches and administrators across the country. Rich parents buying their kids’ way into elite schools is hardly new – why is it suddenly a federal offense? Will “Aunt…
READ MOREWhat are the possible outcomes for drug possession?
If you are arrested on drug charges, you will no doubt hear a wide range of “helpful advice” from people. Everyone has a story about a brother or cousin or friend who got busted. But there is a lot of misinformation out there. The outcome depends on many factors – the facts of the case,…
READ MORESloppy turn signal is not basis for stop, search and conviction
A Texas appeals court has thrown out the drug conviction of a man who was pulled over on the shaky excuse of being tardy in signaling a lane change. The appellate court said that the trumped-up traffic violation did not justify a traffic stop and warrantless vehicle search that ultimately led to the man being…
READ MOREThere is no ‘dope-alyzer’ for driving while high
Any marijuana in a driver’s blood can trigger DUI charges Marijuana possession has become legal in nine states and a lower priority for law enforcement elsewhere. But driving under the influence of marijuana or other drugs remains illegal in every state, including South Carolina. Unlike alcohol, there is no blood or breath test for marijuana…
READ MOREThe new war on drugs: prescription painkillers
Opioid epidemic finds doctors and pharmacists facing criminals charges As health officials pay more attention to opioid addiction, law enforcement is zooming in how those addicts are getting their painkiller fix. Medical professionals are under greater scrutiny for prescribing opioids and other individuals and entities find themselves caught up in this new war on drugs….
READ MORESouth Carolina ranks high in arrests for drug possession
Does jailing people for drug use do more harm than good? More than 24,000 people were arrested in South Carolina for drug possession in 2014 — one of the highest rates in the country. Rather than a pat on the back for law enforcement, it’s a black eye for our state that so many citizens…
READ MOREGone fishing: freeway drug arrests
Casting out the line hundreds of times eventually pays off. Many law enforcement officers dream of making a big drug bust. Selfies next to a mound of drugs and guns and cash. TV interviews, maybe a promotion. All chalked up to patient and diligent police work. In reality, a lot of drug busts stem from…
READ MORETwo Guatemalan drug leaders convicted in U.S. court
Last week, following a four-week trial, two leaders of a Guatemalan Drug Cartel were convicted in federal court of one count each of conspiracy to distribute cocaine into the United States. This case is notable because these two individuals were charged for actions that they committed in another country based upon the effect that it…
READ MOREDrug charges include more than just drugs
You are probably aware that some drugs are illegal, like marijuana or heroin, but sometimes possessing items associated with drug use is illegal. Drug paraphernalia is any items that are related to the use of illegal drugs. These crimes may include innocuous items like spoons or more sinister products like needles or pipes. This article…
READ MOREFour arrested in Georgetown during drug raid
Following complaints by neighbors of drug activity, DEU agents and Georgetown Sheriff’s executed a search warrant on a residence. Once inside, the police arrested the four suspects. A search of the house revealed several grams of marijuana, cocaine, scales, packaging materials, illegal firearms, prescription pills, over $12,000 in cash and various stolen property. These four…
READ MOREDoes drug dealing carry heavier penalties than possession?
Many people in South Carolina have come into contact with drugs at one time or another. Maybe a friend or family member had them or perhaps they experimented with these substances themselves. Whatever the case, even this limited contact can get you into trouble, especially if the illegal substances are discovered by the authorities when…
READ MOREA good defense may help you face drug charges
As many residents of South Carolina are aware, being investigated on suspicion of involvement in a drug crime can be a very serious matter. Even before the matter goes to trial, it can have a severe impact on your life. For example, you could be suspended from your job while you are under investigation. You…
READ MORESouth Carolina man facing multiple drug charges
Every year in South Carolina, numerous people are arrested in connection with drug crimes. However, not all of these people have committed a crime. It is often difficult for the authorities to determine the truth, especially during the early stages of an investigation. As such, it is possible that you may be implicated in a…
READ MOREYou could be charged over drugs that are not yours
In South Carolina, it is no secret that there are a large number of people engaged in the use, manufacture and distribution of controlled substances. As a result, authorities are constantly on the lookout for evidence that an individual may be involved in one of these crimes. However, it is notoriously difficult to pinpoint these…
READ MORESouth Carolina man arrested for drug trafficking
Most residents of South Carolina know how serious a matter it can be if you are arrested on suspicion of involvement in drug manufacturing or distribution. Not only can the investigation alone take its toll on you and your family, if you are convicted it could turn your life upside-down. You could be ordered to…
READ MOREWhat factors can exacerbate drug charges?
In South Carolina, it is well-known that criminal charges can have a dramatic effect on your future. Aside from the immediate worries about conviction, fines and possible prison sentences, the mark on your record can greatly diminish your employment prospects and even affect your housing, college and financial options. Furthermore, friends and family may be…
READ MOREDrugged driving can have serious consequences
It is no secret in South Carolina that being caught with illegal drugs can have severe legal repercussions. As such, it is hardly surprising that if you are found driving while under the influence of these drugs, you could also face criminal charges. However, something that not everyone realizes is that even prescription drugs can…
READ MOREHow is drug possession proven?
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…
READ MORESouth Carolina man charged with possession
Drug charges are a serious matter, no matter which state you live in and South Carolina is no exception. While the severity of the penalties for conviction can vary dramatically depending on state laws and the type and quantity of the drugs involved, it can still be life-changing. Not only might you face significant fines…
READ MOREMan arrested in South Carolina for alleged drug sales
Being investigated in relation with drug crimes is rarely good news. The penalties for any form of drug crime, whether it is possession, distribution or even manufacture of illegal substances are often severe. Even so, many people in South Carolina still turn to drug trafficking in order to make the money they need to survive….
READ MOREDrug charges are not the end
Being charged with a drug crime can be devastating. Drug charges are taken very seriously in South Carolina and can have a dramatic impact on your future. If you are convicted, that mark remains on your record, affecting your professional prospects, housing options and even the severity of future charges. Furthermore, family and friends may…
READ MOREDrug paraphernalia can add to your charges
If you are suspected of involvement in a drug-related offense, you could face a lengthy investigation. This may lead to your home, vehicle and your person being searched or even your friends and family being questioned. Furthermore, if any illegal substances are found, authorities will want to determine whether they belong to you and what…
READ MORESouth Carolina men charged with drug crimes
It is important to be aware of the legislation surrounding drug possession and use, not only in your home state, but in any state you visit. Being found in possession of something illegal within that state can land you in serious trouble. This in turn can lead to serious legal repercussions, such as hefty fines…
READ MORESouth Carolina man charged with possession
Drug charges can have a severe impact on your personal and professional life, not to mention the danger that you may be convicted and face serious penalties. It is important to bear in mind that it is possible to fall foul of drug possession laws even if you were initially being investigated for another alleged…
READ MORESouth Carolina man charged with intent to distribute cocaine
Drug convictions can leave a damaging mark on your record that affects your employment prospects and may even be detrimental to other areas of your life. Undergoing a criminal investigation for drug charges can be daunting and distressing, regardless of whether there is any truth to the allegations against you. When faced with such charges,…
READ MORE3 arrested following South Carolina drug raids
In order to crack down on drug use and distribution, drug enforcement officers will often raid properties that come under suspicion of drug activity. If evidence of drug activity is found during a raid, the property owners and other people within the raided property may be arrested on drug charges. But what if you become…
READ MOREJail time given to 90-year-old man over drug charges
Drug allegations can have a devastating effect on your reputation and your day-to-day life. Even if you are simply under investigation, these allegations can cause strains in your home relationships and even cost you your job. Drug charges are taken very seriously in South Carolina and in the rest of the nation, and it only…
READ MOREWomen at risk of charges over drug use during pregnancy
Drug charges can have severe implications for those accused, regardless of the substances involved or the circumstances of the allegations. A conviction can result in hefty fines, job loss and even jail terms, not to mention the strain it puts on you and your family. In South Carolina, as in many states, drug charges are…
READ MOREMan in Spartanburg charged with cocaine and gun crimes
Recently, a police patrol of a motel in Spartanburg resulted in a drug arrest. On March 6, a police patrol was being conducted in a motel area that narcotics complaints had been made in relation to. A drug-sniffing dog was part of this patrol. According to authorities, the dog alerted when conducting a drug sniff…
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