South Carolina Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer

Drug trafficking in South Carolina carries the following potential penalties:

What Are the Penalties for Marijuana Trafficking?

• 10 – 100 pounds — Imprisonment of 1 to 10 years in prison; a fine up to $10,000 
• 100 – 2,000 pounds — Imprisonment up to 25 years; a fine up to $25,000
• 2,000 – 10,000 pounds — Imprisonment up to 25 years; a fine up to $50,000
• Greater than 10,000 pounds — Imprisonment of a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 30 years; a fine up to $200,000

What Are the Penalties for Cocaine Trafficking? 

• 10 – 28 grams — A minimum term of imprisonment of 3 years up to a maximum of 10 years; a fine of $25,000
• 28 – 100 grams — A minimum term of imprisonment of 7 years up to a maximum of 25 years; a fine of $50,000
• 100 – 200 grams — A mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years; a fine of $50,000
• 200 – 400 grams — A mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years; a fine of $100,000
• More than 400 grams — A minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years up to a maximum of 30 years; a fine of $200,000

What Are the Penalties for Methamphetamine Trafficking?

• 15 – 150 grams — A minimum term of imprisonment of one year up to a maximum of 10 years; a fine up to $10,000
• 150 – 1,500 grams — A mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years; a fine up to $25,000
• 1,500 grams – 15 kilograms — A mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years; a fine up to $50,000
• More than 15 kilograms — A mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years up to a maximum of 30 years; a fine up to $200,000

What Are the Penalties for Trafficking Morphine, Opium or Heroin?

• 4 – 14 grams — A minimum term of imprisonment of seven years up to a maximum of 25 years; a fine up to $100,000
• 14 – 28 grams — A mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years; a fine up to $200,000
• More than 28 kilograms —A mandatory term of imprisonment of 25 years up to a maximum of 40 years; a fine up to $200,000

The penalties above are for individuals who are charged as a first offense. The penalties are steeper for individuals who have a previous history of a drug conviction. In addition to fines, a convicted person will also be required to pay additional fees, costs and assessments.

What is the Penalty for Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute?

A person who possesses more than one ounce of marijuana but less than ten pounds of this drug can be charged with felony possession with the intent to distribute (PWID) in South Carolina. This crime can result in the following penalties:

• Imprisonment up to 5 years
• A fine up to $5,000

Selling marijuana within half a mile of a school or public park can add a $10,000 fine and up to ten years in prison.

What Is the Penalty for Simple Possession of Marijuana?

Simple possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor in South Carolina. It carries the following penalties:

• First offense — Jail time up to 30 days; a fine between $100 and $200, plus costs, fees and assessments
• Second offense — Jail time up to one year in jail; a fine between $200 and $1,000, plus costs, fees and assessments

First-time offenders can enter into a pre-trial intervention program or attend a drug abuse program in order to decrease their penalties.

A person who purchases marijuana within a half mile of a school or public park faces up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000, in addition to their other penalties.