Ohio Trafficking of Drugs Charges

Prosecutors in Ohio mean business with drug trafficking charges

Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in Medina, Brunswick and Wadsworth take Ohio drug trafficking charges seriously. A great deal of time, manpower and money are committed to catching, prosecuting and punishing people who violate the state’s complex drug laws. Ohio trafficking of drugs charges can end in a felony conviction with substantial fines, imprisonment, forfeiture of assets, and the loss of your driving privileges.

Drug Trafficking in Medina, Brunswick or Wadsworth

Ohio law makes it a serious criminal offense, a felony in most instances, to offer or sell a controlled substance, but the extent of the laws against trafficking of drugs goes beyond just selling or offering them for sale. A person who ships, transports, delivers or prepares a controlled substance for shipment, delivery or transportation in Medina, Brunswick or Wadsworth is at risk of being convicted of drug trafficking it is done while knowing or having reason to believe that the shipment is going to someone who intends to sell the drugs.

It is not a defense to a charge of trafficking of drugs to claim that you were not paid for the substances. Police do not have to witness an exchange of a controlled substance for money. Under the drug laws in Medina, Brunswick, Wadsworth and other parts of Ohio, sale of drugs can include bartering, exchanging or transferring drugs for something other than money. You can even be convicted of trafficking by giving away a controlled substance as a gift without receiving anything in return.

Exchanging Prescription Drugs

If you are legally in possession of a controlled substance in Medina, Brunswick or Wadsworth, you could still be charged with trafficking in drugs. While it is legal to obtain controlled substances using a prescription given to you by a doctor who is treating you for an injury or illness, it is illegal to give, transfer, exchange or sell them to another person. Under those circumstances, prosecutors could charge you with laws against trafficking in drugs.

Controlled Substances under Ohio Law

The state of Ohio classifies drugs into five categories or, in much the same method used under federal law, schedules. Schedule I and Schedule II drugs are the most dangerous with the highest risk of abuse. Some of the drugs in Schedules I and II include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, opium, cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines.

The substances in Schedule III are slightly lower in risk of abuse and are deemed to be not as dangerous as substances in Schedules I or II. Schedule III substances such as codeine, anabolic steroids, and hydrocodone actually have some medical uses and can be obtained with a prescription from a physician.

Tranquilizers and sedatives have medical uses, there their risk of dependency put them in Schedule IV. Schedule V medications include many over-the-counter drugs for which there is a low risk of dependency, such as medications containing small amounts of codeine.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking

The drug laws in Ohio are complex. Figuring out the severity of the charges and the penalties for trafficking in drugs can be difficult. You should consult with an experienced and knowledgeable Medina criminal defense attorney such as Erb Legal LLC. if you have been charged with trafficking because penalties are based on the type of controlled substance and the quantity of the drug. A prior criminal record, particularly one involving a conviction for violating state drug laws, or trafficking near a school or in the vicinity of children, can add to the severity of the charges or the penalty.

Jail or prison sentences for drug trafficking can range from six to 12 months for a fifth-degree felony charge involving a small quantity of marijuana to ten years for the first-degree felony of trafficking in 25 grams of cocaine. Judges may impose a fine in addition to incarceration. Fines range from a maximum of $2,500 for a fifth-degree felony up to $20,000 for a first-degree felony conviction.

Other penalties or sanctions for trafficking in drugs in Medina, Brunswick or Wadsworth include forfeiting money or property that can be traced to the drug trafficking activities. Those convicted of trafficking in drugs may also lose their driving privileges for six months up to a maximum of five years.

A Medina Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer Might Help

Besides the immediate consequences of a drug trafficking sentence in Medina, Brunswick or Wadsworth, the long-term consequences of a felony conviction can permanently alter your life. The inability to get a job or obtain certain state-issued professional licenses can follow you for many years after your sentence is over. If you have questions or concerns about Ohio trafficking of drugs charges in Medina, Brunswick or Wadsworth, contact Erb Legal LLC at {P:P3:SUB:PHONE} to discuss your options.