South Carolina Drug Manufacturing Attorney
In drug crime cases, it is not unusual for the government to initiate criminal forfeiture proceedings to hamper the accused's ability to defend him- or herself. Under state and federal law, the government can seize any assets or properties it can reasonably claim a person acquired through the proceeds of illegal drug activity — such as freezing bank accounts, impounding cars and taking homes.
Additionally, when drugs are found in a home or car, prosecutors aren't always concerned about determining who actually owned the drugs. As a result, people who are innocent or guilty of a lesser criminal charge can find themselves facing prison, heavy fines and a permanent criminal record related to drug crimes charges.
At the Law Offices of Richard J. Breibart, LLC, our Lexington drug crime defense attorneys understand how to undermine informants and witnesses and expose questionable police behavior such as search and seizure procedure. We fight for your rights through the entire process, challenging the prosecution's case through specialized motions and at trial.
If you are brought in for questioning by police, contact us immediately: 866-645-8743. We are available by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Federal and State Drug Offenses in South Carolina
We defend clients charged with federal drug crimes, as well as those facing drug charges in state court, including:
- Possession of narcotics and hallucinogens such as cocaine, crack, crank, ecstasy or MDMA, heroin, meth, LSD and GHB
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Illegal possession of prescription drugs such as OxyContin, hydrocodone or antidepressants
- Sale of or possession with intent to distribute illegal drugs
- Drug trafficking
- Conspiracy to commit a drug crime
- Drug crimes involving weapons violations
The length of a drug crime sentence generally depends on three things: the drug involved, the amount involved and whether the offender has previous drug convictions. Under South Carolina law, the penalties for the three most common illegal drugs are harsh, especially for repeat or subsequent drug offenses:
| Possession | Distribution | Trafficking | ||
| Marijuana | < 1 ounce | 1 ounce or more | 10 lbs. or more | 100 lbs. or more |
| first offense | up to 30 days | up to 5 years | 1 to 10 years | 25-year minimum |
| second offense | up to 1 year | up to 10 years | 5 to 20 years | |
| third offense | 5 to 20 years | 25 years | ||
| Cocaine | < 10 grams | 10 grams or more | 28 grams or more | 100 grams or more |
| first offense | up to 3 years | 3 to 10 years | 7 to 25 years | 25-year minimum |
| second offense | up to 5 years | 5 to 30 years | 7 to 30 years | |
| third offense | up to 10 years | 25 to 30 years | 25 to 30 years | |
| Heroin (Opiates) | < 4 grams | 4 grams or more | 14 grams or more | |
| first offense | up to 2 years | 7 to 25 years | 25-year minimum | |
| second offense | up to 5 years | 25-year minimum |
Defending Against Drug Crimes
At the Law Offices of Richard J. Breibart, LLC, our drug possession lawyers understand how drug crimes are investigated and how prosecutors think. Do not assume you can talk your way out of being charged or persuade the police to arrest someone else. Before talking to investigators, consult with an experienced drug defense lawyer. To learn how we can help you through the entire criminal process, call 866-645-8743 or contact our office online. we serve the entire region, from Swansea in Lexington County to Manning in Clarendon County.
