Key things to know about Drug Crimes

First, if you are arrested for any drug crime in San Diego County, contact us as soon as possible for a free case review.

1. Federal court judges operate under some very strict sentencing guidelines that have been handed down by legislators intent on punishing drug offenders, particularly those involved with certain high-profile drugs. One of the guidelines establishes minimum prison terms that can be imposed in such cases.

2. Drug crimes can range from simple possession to manufacturing, sale, distribution, importation and trafficking and the charges can be compounded by continuing criminal enterprise allegations in which penalties from fines, imprisonment and seizure of assets can escalate.

3. Some drugs are taken more seriously and carry higher punishment than others. Under the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 the government classified drugs into five categories, called schedules and set regulatory requirements and punishments for crimes involving each category. Schedule I, for instance, involves heroin, LSD and marijuana. Schedule II includes opium, methamphetamine and cocaine. Schedule III includes anabolic steroids and codeine. Schedule IV includes tranquilizers and chloral hydrate.

4. A continuing criminal enterprise is defined as participating in drug crimes in partnership with five or more defendants gaining a substantial income from their actions.

5. Drug crimes often lead to related charges. There is little honor among thieves and it is not uncommon for those charged with drug crimes to also face other serious charges such as murder, kidnapping, embezzlement, tax evasion, burglary, theft and robbery. The death penalty has sometimes been sought by prosecutors in cases in which one drug dealer kills another.

6. Medical marijuana and the treatment of those who cultivate it or use it have become more and more a focus of the authorities and a matter of contention in the criminal courts.