People suffer many different injuries and other medical conditions in Mississippi that cause people pain. When this occurs people may need to go to the doctor to treat the injuries and to obtain medication to treat the pain. The prescription painkillers that people receive to reduce the pain they are experiencing can be very effective, but they can also be addicting. This is why many people will continue to use the painkillers after their prescription has ended or people may have never had a prescription.
While using these drugs with a prescription is legal and can be helpful, taking them and possessing them without a prescription is illegal. People who are caught possessing them could be charged with a drug crime and face significant penalties. If convicted, the penalties depend on how much people possessed.
Those caught with less than 0.1 gram or two dosage units could be convicted of a misdemeanor and be sentenced up to a year in prison and be fined up to $1,000. If people possess between 0.1 grams or two dosage units and two grams or 10 dosage units they could be sentenced up to three years in jail and up to a $50,000 fine. If the amount is between two grams or 10 dosage units and ten grams or 20 dosage units, the potential jail sentence increases to up to eight years and up to a $250,000 fine. If people possess between ten grams and 20 dosage units and 30 grams or 40 dosage units people could be sentenced to a minimum of three years in jail and a maximum of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
These are serious consequences that could have a major impact on people’s lives in Mississippi. However, people will only realize these consequences if they are convicted. Being charged with a crime does not mean people will be convicted. There are potential defenses available and potential ways that people could mitigate the damages. Experienced attorneys understand the potential defenses and could be able to protect one’s rights.