When a law enforcement officer finds drugs in your possession, your charges depend on a number of factors. The classification and the amount of the drug pave the way for how a court proceeds.
One of the heftiest charges the court may levy against you is trafficking. What makes a drug crime rise to the level of trafficking? Keep reading to find out more about this more serious criminal charge.
What is drug possession?
Having drugs near your person during a stop may be enough to lead to an arrest for possession. This is the basic charge you may face should an officer find you holding illicit substances. Prescription medication may count as an illegal drug if it is not in the bottle with your name on it.
What does drug trafficking mean?
This charge usually starts as possession with the intent to distribute. Drug distribution means that you have enough of a certain illegal substance that it is plausible you may sell it. You may get a distribution charge even with lower classified drugs. However, the higher the schedule, the more severe the punishment is.
What evidence supports the charge?
The amount of the drug in your possession dictates one part of a trafficking charge. The other is whether you have additional items that support the possibility that you are selling illegal substances. This may include:
- Scales for weighing drugs
- Plastic baggies for partitioning out portions
- Large amounts of cash
If you have a prior distribution conviction, it will also weigh against you in a trafficking case.
Should the evidence lean towards your involvement in drug trafficking, you face severe consequences, including prison time and hefty fines. Understanding what goes into mounting this type of case may help in clearing your name.