Collinsville Drug Charge Explained
Individual states and the U.S. government have laws in place to punish the use, possession, distribution and production of various drugs. Accordingly, a drug charge can be prosecuted in state or federal courts, depending on the crime, although most are taken up on the state level. If you have been arrested or charged with a drug crime, contact a defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Types of drug charges
An individual can be charged with many different drug crimes. Among the most common are:
Possession
Willfully possessing a controlled substance, whether on your body or any other personal property, is a crime. Laws vary depending on the type and amount of the drug possessed. Small quantities may only result in a misdemeanor charge while possession of a large amount is typically treated as a felony.
In addition, many states charge an individual with large amounts of drugs with possession with intent to distribute, which is a very serious crime. In this case, prosecutors only have to prove you possessed a certain quantity of a substance, and not that you actually distributed it. While simple possession may not require contacting lawyers, you should certainly speak with attorneys if charged with intent to distribute.
Drug trafficking/transport
This type of drug charge involves transporting a controlled substance from one place to another. The charges one faces depend on a variety of factors, such as when and how the drug was transported. Transporting drugs between state or federal borders is often treated as a federal crime, possibly involving the DEA and FBI. If charged with drug trafficking, contact a lawyer immediately.
Manufacturing/Cultivation
Growing, producing and possessing certain plants can be considered drug cultivation, while manufacturing refers to producing an illegal substance with chemicals. The penalties incurred for manufacturing or cultivation depends on the type of drug. Drugs commonly associated with this charge are LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
Prescription forgery
These days, prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Percocet and Adderral are becoming increasingly popular. As a result, more and more people are using forged prescriptions at pharmacies to try and obtain these legal drugs for illegal personal use or sale. This type of crime can result in a double charge, one for forgery and another for possession.
A Collinsville attorney with experience in state and federal courts
No matter what kind of drug charge you face, Collinsville drug crime defense attorney Lyndon P. Evanko can help. He has practiced drug crime defense in Illinois and federal courts for 14 years, defending clients charged with possession, manufacturing, distribution and more. If you have been arrested or charged with a drug crime in Collinsville, contact Lyndon P. Evanko, P.C., today for a free initial consultation.
