South Carolina Drug Crime Attorneys

Drug crime arrests in South Carolina can be followed by a pretty steep punishment. Prison sentencing, jail time, hefty fines, criminal record and license suspension can all result from a drug crime conviction and can have devastating consequences for your future.

Drug crime charges can be resolved in one of four ways:

Dismissal

Dismissal by the prosecutor can occur if the prosecution concludes that there is insufficient evidence to continue with a case.  A clear demonstration to ensure the lack of evidence for a drug charge must be put forward for the prosecution to consider dismissal. Otherwise, the prosecution will follow through with the case based on the police reports.

Diversion Programs

Those with simple possession charges may be eligible for a Conditional Discharge to have all of their charges dismissed. With consent from the prosecutor and the court, the Conditional Discharge program may require Drug screening and other provisions set by the Court and must be completed to finish the program. Upon completion, the charges will be dismissed with a possibility for the record to be expunged.

Pre-trial intervention, PTI, is also available for more serious drug crimes.  In the event of a diagnosed drug addiction, a defendant many be eligible to have their cased disposed of by participating in the Drug Court Program. This diversion program is longer and more difficult than other diversion programs offered in South Carolina.
Completion can result in dismissal of the defendant’s charges and a possibility of an expunged record.

Plea Bargain

Sometimes a case can be resolved through a plea bargain, where the defendant would comply with admitting guilty to the charges in order to dismiss or reduce the charges. Often times a plea bargain can be negotiated and knocked down to a fine or probation sentencing.

Contested Trial

When cases are not dismissed under the above conditions they are taken to trial. A prosecutor must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the charges in order to be convicted. There is still opportunity to dismiss the charge at this point based on certain circumstantial evidence surrounding the case.

Common drug crimes that occur in South Carolina:

• Possession
• Possession with Intent to Distribute
• Trafficking
• Distribution

If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug crime, you need the experience defense of criminal drug attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC who will help you defend your case. Contact us today to see how e can help you avoid the harsh consequences that can result from a drug crime conviction.