Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Prescription Drugs Lawyer in Lansing

Pharmaceuticals are life-saving wonders of modern medicine. However, when used inappropriately, the state has deemed them to be illegal, and in Lansing, the authorities have taken a hard line against this activity. Though not considered nearly as dangerous as meth or cocaine, being arrested for prescription drug abuse still has the risk of fines and possible jail time. You will need to consult with an experienced drug offense attorney in Lansing right away.

Unlike the other narcotic drugs, prescription drugs come in such a variety that it is impossible to tie them all down to one definition. Prescription drugs are medicines, usually in pill form, that can only be bought with a doctor’s prescription or over the counter at a pharmacy. The takeaway is, these medicines are “guarded.” They are not open to everyone to buy like common cough medicines. This is because these prescription drugs are powerful and can be abused. When used improperly, they can induce sensations of pleasure, light-headedness, or other sensory warping effects.

Categories of Prescription Drugs

Because these drugs have proven medical uses, the majority of them fall under Schedule III or Schedule V drugs. The over the counter drugs fall closer to Schedule V, as they serve a medical purpose and are not generally addictive if used in small quantities. However, they can still be abused and are still regulated. When you reach Schedules IV and III, these drugs are stronger, more prone to addictive use, but still serve a medical purpose. These normally contain drugs that can only be bought with a doctor’s prescription: Xanax, Valium, Ketamine, and low potency Morphine among others.

You will only face Schedule II charges if you are arrested with drugs like opium, morphine, and Oxycodone. These still can be used in medical situations, but they are extremely addictive with even minor use. As such, the state keeps a tight eye on them. In fact, it is hard to find these drugs anywhere other than doctor’s offices and hospitals.

Consequences for Prescription Drug Charges

If you are arrested while in possession of prescription drugs that you acquired through unauthorized means you will face prison time and stiff fines. However, the prosecution may try to make your charges much larger than they actually are. They may attempt to make yours a case of possession with intent to deliver. As the name suggests, this means they believe you were in possession of prescription drugs and were looking to sell them to others. Whereas possession is usually a misdemeanor, possession with intent is a felony and carries heavy consequences.

If you are accused or convicted of possession or possession with intent to deliver, you need to hire an attorney immediately. Drug crime is a messy field that needs an experienced skillset to create a good defense against the police and the prosecution. Do not wait for the judge to sentence you. Call the experienced drug crime attorneys of Grabel & Associates now.

Just as prescription drugs are broken down by schedule, so are the punishments for possession with intent. Schedule V drugs are punishable with a $2,000 fine as well or a jail sentence of up to 2 years. In some circumstances, you may receive both punishments, depending on your crime. Schedule IV drug charges are similar to Schedule V, but the prison sentence is increased to 4 years.

Schedule III is a great leap in severity from the previous schedules. If you are convicted of possession with intent with this class of drug, you can face up to 7 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Again, it is possible you will only receive one punishment, but the increased schedule may let a prosecution push for the maximum punishment.

Should you be arrested with Schedule I or II drugs, you are in very dangerous territory. All of the previous charges are life-changing and serious. However these sentences can destroy your life as you know it. For 50 grams or less of Schedule I or II drugs, you can face up to 20 years in prison and/or up to $25,000 in fines. These punishments increase as the gram amount increases. If you were arrested with more than a kilogram, you can face life in prison or $1 million in fines.

Additionally, there are other charges if you are arrested within or nearby a church, park, business, school, or other public place. The state of Michigan wants to keep drug abuse away from the public eye and will come down on you more severely if you do this in public. The court will also consider your previous arrest and drug history when determining a sentence for your crimes.

Contact Grabel & Associates

Every single one of these charges can throw your life into chaos. If you believe you have been unfairly charged with possession with intent to deliver prescription drugs, you need to call our experienced drug attorneys. Every day you wait gives the prosecution another day to build a case against you that you will have little ability to fight. Our attorneys know the law and how best to keep your freedom. Call Grabel & Associates at 1-800-342-7896. We offer a free consultation to immediately begin building your defense. Contact us online now.