Searcy Drug Possession Lawyer

Searcy, AR, Drug Possession Attorney

Drug possession is one of the most common criminal charges you can face in the United States. Ever since the War on Drugs officially began in the 1970s, more people have been put in prison for drug-related crimes than for any other offense in American history.  If you live in the Searcy, Arkansas, area and are facing a possible drug charge, reach out to a Searcy drug possession lawyer today.

A conviction on drug possession charges can ruin your entire life, as it carries long sentences and steep fines. You can lose your kids, you can lose your home, you can have a black mark on your record that keeps you from getting steady work, and so much more. A drug possession attorney from Lemley Law Partners can help you reduce or eliminate these charges or the consequences you face.

Controlled Substances

A controlled substance is a drug with a high capability of causing addiction. These substances are broken down into six distinct categories, or schedules. The more dangerous the drug, the more serious the charges can be. Here is a breakdown of the six different schedules that various illegal drugs fall under:

• Schedule I: These are the drugs that have little to no medical uses whatsoever and exist purely as addictive substances with the highest potential for abuse. These can include heroin, ecstasy, LSD, GHB, and other opium derivatives such as morphine. Possession of a Schedule I drug is a Class B, C, or D felony.
• Schedule II: These drugs have an acceptable medical use but also have a high risk of addiction and psychological dependency. Schedule II drugs can include cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, Adderall, and other stimulants and barbiturates. Possession of this type of substance is a Class B, C, or D felony.
• Schedule III: These drugs have a moderate to low risk of psychological dependency and have an accepted medical use within reason. These include anabolic steroids, ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and testosterone. Possession of a Schedule III drug can be a Class A misdemeanor or a Class B, C, or D felony, depending on the amount in your possession.
• Schedule IV: These drugs have a fairly low risk of abuse but still have the potential for psychological dependency if you are not careful. These include mostly prescription sleep medications and antidepressants, like Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Ambien, and tramadol. Possession of a Schedule IV drug can be a Class A misdemeanor or a Class B, C, or D felony, depending on how much of it you have.
• Schedule V: These drugs are the least dangerous. They have legitimate medical uses and almost no risk of psychological dependency. These include over-the-counter cough medicines like Robitussin, Lyrica, Motoren, and Lomotil. Possession of a Schedule V drug can be a Class A misdemeanor or a Class B, C, or D felony, depending on the quantity in your possession.
• Schedule VI: These drugs are considered unsafe, carry a risk of psychological dependency, and have no accepted medical uses. However, they also fail to fit into the previous five categories. These include marijuana, salvia, and other synthetic forms of marijuana. Possession of a Schedule VI drug can be a Class A misdemeanor or a Class B, C, or D felony, depending on the amount in your possession and your criminal history.

The various schedules influence the charges that can be filed against you for possessing any drug that falls under these six categories. Possession can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on what you are carrying and how much of it you are carrying. Possession charges can also apply to prescription drugs that you don’t have a prescription for.

If you are caught with drugs of any kind for whatever reason, you need to contact a criminal defense lawyer in Searcy, AR as soon as you possibly can. It could be the difference between freedom and imprisonment.

FAQs

Q: How Much Is a Possession Charge in Arkansas?

A: A drug possession charge in Arkansas depends entirely on the drug you are caught with, the amount of said drug, and your history of criminal offenses. Depending on what classification, or schedule, the drug falls under, you could be looking at a misdemeanor or a felony. The more dangerous the drug, the bigger the potential charge you will face. Misdemeanor charges typically could land you some minor jail time and a fine of $2,500.

Q: What Is the First-Time Offenders Act?

A: The First-Offenders Act in Arkansas offers conviction relief for people who have never before been convicted of a crime. If you are a first-time offender who was charged and convicted, and you successfully complete your probation, your record will be expunged or sealed. After that, it will be like the drug charge never happened. This act does not include people who are charged with violent crimes or sex crimes.

Q: What Are Schedule I Drugs in Arkansas?

A: A Schedule I drug in Arkansas is any drug that has the highest likelihood of abuse and psychological dependency. These include:

• Opiates and opiate derivatives, like morphine and heroin
• Hallucinogenic drugs, like LSD or ecstasy
• Depressants, like GHB

These are considered the most dangerous and illegal drugs that someone can be in possession of. They have no medical usage, so any human consumption of them is inherently a form of drug abuse.

Q: What Is a 5-64-419 Charge in Arkansas?

A: According to the Arkansas Criminal Code, a 5-64-419 refers to possession of a controlled substance. This portion of the code details the illegality of controlled substances and the misdemeanor or felony charges that can occur when a person is in violation of any portion of this code. The amount of the drug largely impacts the charges you will face.

Contact a Drug Possession Lawyer Today

If you are facing a drug possession charge, you cannot handle it on your own. You need someone in your corner who knows how to handle this scary, confusing process and can make sure that you emerge free on the other side. Lemley Law Partners handles cases like this all the time. We understand what our clients need and are ready to help in any way we can. Contact us to schedule a consultation.