Mississippi Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers

Defending Clients from Serious Drug Charges

Being arrested for drug-related charges has the potential to upend your life, as a conviction could threaten your freedom, career, and reputation. This is especially the case if your drug charge is a felony that could result in prison time. Fortunately, you have the option to fight back through the legal system, but this typically requires guidance from an experienced drug crimes lawyer who fully understands the laws surrounding drug crimes in Mississippi.

At Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, our legal team has spent years skillfully representing clients facing criminal charges of all kinds. If you were arrested for allegedly committing a misdemeanor or felony drug crime in this state, you deserve advice from criminal defense lawyers with the legal knowledge and experience to strategize a strong defense for you. Call our law office to speak with a trusted drug crimes attorney ready to help.

What Types of Drug Cases Do Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Handle?

We have several years of experience providing quality legal representation to clients facing criminal charges that include misdemeanors and felonies. Regardless of your specific charge, we’ll review the unique circumstances of your case before formulating a strong defense that will get the best possible outcome.

Some examples of drug charges we frequently defend clients against include:

  • Simple possession
  • Possession with intent to distribute
  • Drug trafficking
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Drug manufacturing
  • Prescription fraud
  • Drug cultivation

Whether you were arrested for drug possession, trafficking, or other serious charges, you should contact us immediately for help from knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys. We understand the harsh penalties you face if convicted, so we’ll work hard to achieve the best possible results for your case.

What Are Mississippi’s Drug Schedules?

Mississippi divides controlled substances into five schedules based on their medical use and potential for abuse. These schedules are often critical in determining the drug charges and penalties you face, since crimes involving the most dangerous controlled substances can result in the most severe penalties. The five schedules include:

  • Schedule I: These drugs have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, with examples including LSD, ecstasy, heroin, peyote, marijuana, and psilocyn
  • Schedule II: Drugs in this category have some accepted medical uses but a high potential for abuse, with examples including hydrocodone, oxycodone, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and morphine
  • Schedule III: These controlled substances have more accepted medical uses and lower potential for abuse than those in other categories, with examples being anabolic steroids, ketamine, and codeine
  • Schedule IV: Drugs in this category have many medical uses and a lower potential for abuse, including Valium, Xanax, Ambien, Ativan, and Tramadol
  • Schedule V: These drugs have the lowest potential for abuse and the most accepted medical uses, with examples being Lyrica, Lomotil, and cough medicines with small amounts of codeine

If you’re unsure which category would apply to your drug crimes case, you should contact Mississippi criminal defense lawyers with in-depth knowledge of this state’s drug schedules. Our team has helped numerous clients avoid serious penalties for felony and misdemeanor charges, and we’ll do the same for you when you hire us to handle your legal issues.

What Penalties Do You Face for a Drug Conviction in Mississippi?

The punishment for a drug crime conviction in this state can be harsh. Your specific penalties will depend on several factors, including the type of drug, the schedule it falls into, and the amount you’re accused of possessing.

Generally, if you’re accused of having a large amount of a Schedule I or II drug, your punishment will be more severe than having a smaller amount of a less addictive substance. In addition, if you have any drug convictions on your criminal record, you’ll face harsher penalties.

For an idea of the punishment to expect from your criminal charges, consider some common drug crimes and their typical penalties:

  • Simple possession of a controlled substance: If you’re accused of possessing less than 1 gram of a Schedule I or II drug, you face a misdemeanor, resulting in up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Possession of 1 to 2 grams could result in a felony punished by 3 years of prison and a $50,000 fine, while possession of over 30 grams could lead to 6 to 24 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
  • Possession of marijuana: If you’re arrested for possessing less than 30 grams of marijuana, you face a misdemeanor with a fine of $100 to $250 for a first offense. A second offense could result in 5 to 60 days in jail and up to $250 in fines, while a third offense could lead to 6 months of jail time and $1,000 in fines.
  • Drug trafficking: You could be arrested for this crime if you’re caught with large amounts of a controlled substance. Trafficking over 5 kilograms of marijuana could result in 10 to 30 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines, while trafficking 30 to 200 grams of cocaine or meth could lead to 10 to 40 years in prison and $5 million in fines.

Experienced criminal defense lawyers will make sure you know the potential criminal consequences of your charge. If you’re concerned about jail time, heavy fines, and other serious penalties, contact our criminal defense firm for legal advice from a caring team.

How Can Mississippi Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers Assist with Your Criminal Case?

When you have questions about the charges you’re facing, it’s time to seek legal assistance from a skilled drug crimes lawyer. At Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, our trusted attorneys have several years of combined experience representing clients dealing with a broad range of serious accusations, from drug crimes to sex crimes.

We understand how important it is to protect clients from life-changing charges, so we’ll help you get the best possible outcome for your criminal defense case. To learn more about how Mississippi criminal defense lawyers can help you, call 662-200-8734 today.