Can Drug Charges Be Dropped or Reduced?
South Carolina has some of the strictest, comprehensive drug laws in the entire country. If you are arrested on a drug charge, you could be looking at serious jail time. That said, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Drug charges can absolutely be reduced or even dropped outright...
Read more Is Medical Marijuana a Valid Defense?
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), there are 40 states that have reformed their laws to permit the use of marijuana for a qualifying medical issue. However, South Carolina is one of the 10 states that have not done so. Medical marijuana is not a valid defense...
Read more What are the Penalties for Marijuana Possession?
The possession of marijuana is illegal in South Carolina. The state has not decriminalized marijuana for either medical use or recreational use. In fact, it is still a Schedule I controlled substance in the state. A conviction for marijuana possession can carry very serious criminal penalties. Our Columbia drug crimes...
Read more What is Constructive Possession?
The unlawful possession of a controlled substance (drug possession) can be a very serious crime in South Carolina. There are two forms of drug possession: actual possession and constructive possession. Constructive possession is a form of non-actual possession where a person is charged with a possession offense because they had...
Read more How Much of a Drug Qualifies as a Felony?
South Carolina has some of the strictest, comprehensive drug laws in the entire country. While some drug offenses are misdemeanors, there are many that are felony offenses. You may be wondering: **How much of a drug qualifies as a felony in South Carolina? **The short answer is that it depends...
Read more What is a Drug Court, and How Does it Work?
In South Carolina, some drug offenders may be eligible to receive treatment as supervision instead of going through the traditional criminal justice process. The South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination explains that there are drug courts in our state for this purpose. At the Law Office of Jonathan M. Harvey,...
Read more Drug Trafficking vs Drug Distribution
South Carolina has some of the toughest, most comprehensive drug laws in the entire country. A person facing a trafficking or distribution charge could face harsh penalties if convicted. You may be wondering: Is drug trafficking and drug distribution the same thing in South Carolina? The short answer is not...
Read more What is a Drug Diversion Program, and am I Eligible?
Arrested for drug possession in Charleston or elsewhere in South Carolina? You could be facing a very serious criminal charge. With that being said, you could have treatment options available. Our state has a drug diversion program that can help spare people from the worst consequences of a criminal charge....
Read more Is Weed Legal in South Carolina?
The legal landscape of marijuana has changed considerably over the last decade or two, and many people are confused about its legality throughout the country. The bottom line is that while even recreational marijuana has been legalized in many states, South Carolina is not among them. In other words, weed...
Read more Drug addicts need treatment, not jail time
After a drug-related conviction, the punishments you may face tend to vary based on factors, such as the severity of the crime itself and where the crime occurred. While you may have to serve jail time for your offense, drug offenders in many areas may have the option of participation...
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