At Sanders & Nettles, our aggressive South Carolina criminal defense attorneys have the legal skills and knowledge that are necessary
to successfully defend clients who have been accused of serious
drug crimes. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony
drug related crime in South Carolina, it is crucial that you hire
experienced legal representation from Sanders & Nettles. Contact
our accomplished firm immediately to ensure that you get excellent
legal advice and guidance.
In the United States, all drug related crimes are aggressively prosecuted and harshly punished. In an attempt to keep drug penalties consistent with the crime, law enforcement officials use a "drug schedule." The drug schedule is a widely used format that divides drugs into five categories, based on the type of drug, the amount of the substance, and other factors.
Listed below is a brief description of the drug schedules:
Schedule 1
These substances have a high potential for abuse, do not have a medical use, and are dangerous even with a medical professional supervising the usage. Schedule 1 substances include LSD, Heroin, Mescaline, Psilocybin, Cocaine, and Mescaline.
Schedule 2
These substances place users at an increased potential for abuse, may cause physical or psychological dependency, and are allowed to be taken for medical purposes (although restrictions do apply). It is illegal to buy, sell, or possess any drugs that are listed under Schedule 2 without a prescription. Schedule 2 substances include Methamphetamines, Morphine, Codeine, Methadone, Opium, and Amphetamines.
Schedule 3
These substances have a slight potential for abuse, as compared to the substances that are listed under Schedules 1 and 2, with a risk for low levels of physical or psychological dependence. Schedule 3 substances include Anabolic Steroids, Ketamine, Lysergic Acid, and Vinbarbital.
Schedule 4
These substances have a small probability of abuse, as compared to the substances in Schedules 1, 2, and 3. All substances under Schedule 4 are accepted for medical use, and place users at a low risk for physical or psychological dependency. Schedule 4 substances include Diazepam (Valium), Phenobarbital, Clonazepam (Klonopin), and Sibutramine (Meridia).
Schedule 5
These substances have a very low potential for abuse, as compared to other drugs categorized under Schedules 1 through 4. All of the substances are acceptable to be used for medical purposes and place the user at a very minimal risk for dependency.
Depending upon the amount of the drug in a person's possession, he or she may be faced with a lengthy prison term, an expensive monetary fine, and other severe consequences. As you can see, it is extremely important that you hire an accomplished Charleston drug charge attorney from Sanders & Nettles.