Criminal Defense Attorney Columbia, South Carolina

Prescription Drug Crimes Attorney Columbia, South Carolina

Cut through the confusion with the help of accomplished legal professional Matt Bodman

Have you been charged with a crime involving prescription drugs? If so, it's important to understand just how serious such drug charges can be in South Carolina. Even a drug possession charge can result in significant penalties, including thousands of dollars in fines and up to 2 years in prison.

The state's laws also treat various prescription drugs differently. Illegal use of certain prescription drugs like oxycodone and methadone carry the most severe penalties because they are classified as Schedule II drugs, one of the highest ratings for prescription drugs under the state's laws.

Understanding South Carolina's laws concerning controlled substances can be confusing. If you or a loved one has been charged or is under investigation, contact prescription drug crime lawyer Matt Bodman as soon as possible. A former South Carolina criminal prosecutor, attorney Bodman is well-versed in the laws related to state and federal drug charges involving prescription drugs.

What types of prescription drugs are the focus of criminal charges?

South Carolina has five classifications for prescription drugs. Many of the drugs listed below are legal in some instances. You can be charged, however, if authorities suspect you are in possession of these drugs without a prescription or selling them without a license.

Regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act, prescription drugs are classified according to the addictive nature of each drug. Schedule V drugs have the lowest risk for abuse, while Schedule I drugs have the highest risk.

The classifications - along with common examples of prescription drugs often used illegally, according to the U.S. Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - include:

Schedule V

  • Cough medications with less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters; ezogabine

Schedule IV

  • Common drugs - alprazolam (Xanax), carisoprodol (Soma), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tanxene), diazepam (Valium) lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion)

Schedule III

(High risk of psychological dependence)

  • Common drugs - Pharmaceuticals containing less than 15% hydrocodone (Vicodin), not more than 90 milligrams of codeine (Tylenol with Codeine), anabolic steroids (Depo-Testosterone), buprenorphine (Suboxone), ketamine and phendimetrazine.

Schedule II

(High risk of physical and psychological dependence)

(High risk of abuse)

  • Common drugs - oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), morphine, codeine, pentobarbital, amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), and methylphenidate (Ritalin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone (Dolophine), meperidine (Demerol), fentanyl (Duragesic), opium, hydrocodone, amobarbital and glutethimide.

Schedule I

(Highest addiction risk)

(No accepted medical use, according to DEA)

  • Examples include cocaine, heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Ecstasy"). Marijuana (cannabis) is also officially classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government, even though some states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. You can learn more about South Carolina's marijuana laws and cocaine laws on our website.

What are the penalties for prescription drug crimes?

The penalties for prescription drug crimes - organized under charges involving controlled substances (CDS) - vary depending on the classification of the drug. Some of the most common charges and their penalties include:

Possessing a Controlled Substance (Schedule I or II) (Narcotic substance) without a prescription:

  • (First Offense) - Up to 2 years in prison and up to $5,000 fine
  • (Second Offense) - Up to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 fine
  • (Third Offense) - Up to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine

Possessing a Controlled Substance (Schedule I through V) (All other substances, except cocaine) without a prescription:

  • (First Offense) - Up to 6 months in prison and up to $1,000 fine
  • (Second and subsequent offenses) - Up to 1 year in prison and up to $2,000 fine

Why should I hire attorney Bodman to handle my case?

A conviction or guilty plea for a prescription drug crime can dramatically change your life. Not only could you be fined or sentenced to jail, but you could have a hard time finding a job, getting a home loan and achieving other goals in life.

Attorney Bodman understands the seriousness of such changes and works tirelessly on every case he personally handles at his law firm. He knows that the more details you can gather while investigating a case, the stronger your legal argument.

There are many alternatives available to jail time and large fines - and attorney Bodman can help you explore all your legal options.

"I have dedicated my career to helping people dealing with serious criminal charges," Bodman said.

Call (866) 487-9077. Free consultation available.

South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense LawyersSouth Carolina Association of Criminal Defense LawyersSouth Carolina BarSouth Carolina BarSouth Carolina Association for JusticeSouth Carolina Association for JusticeRichland County Bar AssociationRichland County Bar Association2020 Legal Elite of the Midlands2020 Legal Elite of the Midlands