Drug Trafficking South Carolina

A Drug Trafficking charge in South Carolina revolves around how much drugs were found to be in someone’s possession when arrested. In some cases, conspiracy to traffic drugs is alone enough for a conviction. What does this mean? It means that even if a person is not found to be in physical or constructive possession of the illicit substances it’s enough to still be charged and found guilty.

A drug trafficking charge in South Carolina is not what it seems at first. The charge is strictly about the quantity and weight of the substances. The drugs do not have to be moved across state lines for a charge to be brought forth. South Carolina’s authorities treat these crimes extremely seriously. They usually investigate and prosecute with the utmost vigilance. Regardless of previous criminal history, that’s to say even if you have a clean record, a charge and conviction are not good.

Ashley Cornwell has more than a decade of experience fighting for justice in Charleston and throughout South Carolina. She brings to the courtroom experience, devotion, and tenacity. When a person is charged with a serious felony crime like drug trafficking it’s up to the state to prove guilt. They need to prove all the prerequisites described under the law in order to get a conviction. She’s there to fight them each step of the way and fight that her clients have their rights protected.

If you’re located in Charleston, Beaufort, Orangeburg, Georgetown, or anywhere in South Carolina and are facing felony charges contact our offices today.

What’s the difference between distribution and trafficking?

Possession with intent to distribute, sometimes abbreviated to PWI or PWID, is different from both simple possession and drug trafficking. With simple possession, there needs to be a certain amount of drugs present to be charged. This is the lowest rung charge someone can face. Includes gram and milligram amounts of controlled dangerous substances, or CDS for short. Unlike simple possession, PWID is a charge that needs not just a certain weight amount of CDS but also, as the name implies, the intent to distribute (sell) those drugs. This intent needs to be proven by the prosecution in order to gain a conviction. This can be done through evidence of paraphernalia, baggies, scales, etc.

Trafficking is based almost strictly on weight. If there’s above a certain amount of weight alleged to be in someone’s possession then they’ll face trafficking charges. These charges are usually no-parole offenses. This means that if convicted a person can face the entire time behind bars, no exceptions. That’s why hiring top-notch legal defense is so crucial.

Marijuana

1 to 100 pounds:
- Mandatory minimum sentences: range from 1 year to 25 years depending on previous offenses
100 to 10,000 pounds:
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 25 years
Over 10,000 pounds:
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 25 to 30 years

Cocaine, Crack, or Meth

10 to 28 grams:
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 3 to 30 years
28 to 100 grams:
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 7 to 30 years

MDMA

100 to 500 doses:
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 3 to 30 years

Heroin

4 to 14 grams:
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 7 to 25 years
14 to 28 grams
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 25 years
More than 28 grams
- Mandatory minimum sentences: 25 to 40 years

Charleston and South Carolina Drug Trafficking Attorney

Ashley Cornwell fights tirelessly to defend her client’s rights and seek the best possible outcome. Our firm focuses on providing legal representation and customized service which will help you deal with your legal needs. Contact us today.

Charleston, SC Law Firm