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Drug Charge Attorney
Myrtle Beach, SC

Hire an experienced drug charge attorney to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

If you are facing drug charges in South Carolina, it is crucial to hire an experienced drug charge attorney to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

The consequences of a drug conviction can be severe, including jail time, fines, and a criminal record that can impact your future, job and education opportunities.

People routinely turn to the drug charge attorneys at O’Neil Law Firm when they want to avoid fines, penalties, and jail time for a drug charge in Myrtle Beach, SC.

The penalties for a drug charge in South Carolina depend on several factors, including the type and quantity of the drug involved, the defendant’s criminal history, and whether the offense occurred near a school or other designated “drug-free” zone. Below we will look closer at marijuana and cocaine charges in South Carolina.

Here are some of the potential penalties for marijuana charges in South Carolina:

  • Simple Possession of Marijuana: The penalties for simple possession depend on the number of prior offenses, if any. This is charged as a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) Marijuana: This is a more serious offense that is charged when the defendant is found with a large quantity of drugs or evidence of drug sales (such as scales or packaging materials). The penalties for PWID depend on the number of prior offenses, if any. This offense is charged as a felony and carries penalties ranging from 0-20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
  • Trafficking Marijuana: Trafficking is the most serious drug offense in South Carolina and involves the sale, transportation, or distribution of large quantities of drugs. The penalties for trafficking depend on the quantity of drugs involved and ranges from 1-30 years in jail and/or fines of up to $200,000.

Here are some of the potential penalties for cocaine charges in South Carolina:

  • Possession of Cocaine: The penalties for simple possession depend on the number of prior offenses, if any. A first offense is charged as a misdemeanor, but subsequent offenses are charged as felonies. A conviction carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $12,500.
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) Cocaine: This is a more serious offense that is charged when the defendant is found with a large quantity of drugs or evidence of drug sales (such as scales or packaging materials). The penalties for PWID depend on the number of prior offenses, if any. This offense is charged as a felony and carries penalties ranging from 0-30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000.
  • Trafficking Cocaine: Trafficking is the most serious drug offense in South Carolina and involves the sale, transportation, or distribution of large quantities of drugs. The penalties for trafficking depend on the quantity of drugs involved and ranges from 3-30 years in jail and/or fines of up to $200,000.

Drug offenses in designated “drug-free” zones: South Carolina law imposes enhanced penalties for drug offenses that occur within a certain distance of schools, parks, and other designated “drug-free” zones. For example, a drug offense that occurs within 1/2 mile of a school carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison, even for a first offense.

In addition to these criminal penalties, a drug conviction can have other long-term consequences, such as difficulty finding employment, housing, or educational opportunities. For these reasons it’s crucial to hire an experienced drug charge attorney who can help you understand your legal options and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

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Important Factors to Consider When

Hiring a Drug Charge Attorney in Myrtle Beach, SC

  1. Knowledge and Experience: An experienced drug charge attorney has a deep understanding of the state and federal laws related to drug offenses. They will know the specific elements that the prosecution needs to prove in order to secure a conviction, as well as the potential defenses that can be used to challenge the evidence. They will also have experience dealing with the local courts and prosecutors, and may be able to negotiate a plea bargain or reduced sentence on your behalf.
  2. Protection of Your Rights: A drug charge attorney will ensure that your constitutional rights are protected throughout the legal process. This includes ensuring that any evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure is suppressed, and that you are not coerced into making a confession or pleading guilty without understanding your options.
  3. Personalized Legal Strategy: Every drug charge case is unique, and an experienced drug charge attorney will develop a personalized legal strategy that takes into account the specific circumstances of your case. This may involve challenging the evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, or arguing for alternative sentencing options.
  4. Reduced Penalties: If you are facing drug charges, you are likely facing severe penalties if convicted. An experienced drug charge attorney may be able to negotiate a reduced sentence or alternative sentencing options, such as drug treatment or probation. This can help you avoid the long-term consequences of a criminal record and keep your life on track.
  5. Peace of Mind: Facing drug charges can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Hiring an experienced drug charge attorney can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that you have a skilled legal advocate fighting for your rights and working to secure the best possible outcome in your case.

Last but not least, if you are considering hiring a drug charge attorney, it’s important to choose an attorney who has experience in handling drug charge cases.

Look for a defense attorney who has a track record of success in representing clients facing drug charges, as well as experience in negotiating with prosecutors and representing clients in court.

You should also choose an attorney who you feel comfortable working with and who you trust to represent your best interests.

Testimonials

This law firm is the G.O.A.T! They are kind, thorough, and informative. They always responded to emails, texts, and phone
calls in an expedient manner. Sarah and Attorney Rick is awesome. They really help make things so simple and easy to understand. If you want a law firm that really cares about its clients, then this is the right one for you.

-Anonymous

Josh was my lawyer, and he stayed on top of all my medical needs. He helped me with worker's compensation insurance to get my surgery done on time, along with my rehabilitation treatments. When settling the claim, Josh helped me by telling me to keep records of what I needed for the settlement. Josh cared about how I was doing and pushed to get the best settlement he could for me. Josh is A1 in my book. I would highly recommend Josh at O'Neal Law Firm. THANK YOU, JOSH.

-Anonymous

I had a fantastic experience with the O'Neil Law Firm. Ryne "Josh" Kochan did a wonderful job serving my needs in an insurance dispute. Josh was prompt and timely and delivered results that exceeded my expectations. I would absolutely hire the O'Neil Law Firm again!

-Anonymous

*The Rules of Professional Conduct require disclosure that this is a “Testimonial” about the attorney.
Please be aware that any result achieved on behalf of one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to fight your drug charges.

By hiring the defense attorneys at O’Neil Law Firm, you can rest assured that your constitutional rights are protected, and they’ll fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

With their knowledge and experience, the drug defense attorneys at O’Neil Law Firm can help you navigate the complex legal system and negotiate with prosecutors to secure reduced penalties or alternative sentencing options. Most importantly, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have a skilled attorney on your side.

Don’t gamble with your future. Take the first step towards protecting your rights and your freedom by hiring a drug charge attorney today.

Call or text 843-444-4357 or click here to send us an email.

Ready to Speak with a Drug charge Attorney About Your Case?

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