DRUG TRAFFICKING ATTORNEY COLUMBUS, OHIO
At Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC, in Columbus, Ohio, we know what is at stake for those drug trafficking charges. Prison, heavy fines, driver's license suspension, and having to live with a criminal record can all change the trajectory of your life in ways no one wants to live with.
We help those facing charges related to:
Heroin
Fentanyl
Cocaine
Methamphetamine (crystal meth)
Prescription pills (Percocet, Oxycodone, Vicodin)
Marijuana
What Is "Drug Trafficking"?
People often think that "drug trafficking" is limited to large-scale operations like a cartel, but this is not the case. R.C. 2925.03 says that "No person shall knowingly: (1) sell or offer to sell a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog; or (2) prepare for shipment, ship, transport, deliver, prepare for distribution, or distribute a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog, when the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the controlled substance ora constrolled substance analog is intended of rsale or resale by the offender or a nother person."
What does that mean to you? Often, whether or not someone is charged for "trafficking" has little to do with the amount of drugs and more to do with how the drugs are packaged. Trafficking charges often occur when a person has drugs that are packaged for sale. For example, having a large amount of methamphetamine, say 30 grams, in a single bag would likely be charged as drug possession. However, having 10 bags each containing 3 grams of methamphetamine would likely be charged as both possession and trafficking because the appearance is that they are being prepared for shipment.
What Are the Penalties for Drug Trafficking?
Just like with Drug Possession, the penalties for Drug Trafficking depend on both the type and the amount of drug in question. This chart, published by the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission, lists the penalties for each drug and amount under R.C. 2925.03:
Drug Offense Quick Reference Guide
Except where specified otherwise, the offenses carry the following potential prison and fines:
| F5 | F4 | F3 | F2 | F1 |
Prison: | 6-12 months | 6-18 months | 9-36 months | 2-8 years | 3-11 years |
Fine: | $2,500 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
Many of these offenses involve the presumption of prison or even mandatory prison time, especially if committed within 1000 feet of a school or juvenile. In addition, there can be large fines that, just like prison time, can be mandatory on high level offenses.
Why Am I Charged With Possession and Trafficking?
Typically, when people are charged with Drug Trafficking, they are also charged with Drug Possession for the same drugs. These are known as "allied offenses of similar import." What that means is that you cannot commit one of the offenses without committing the other. In this situation, you cannot traffic drugs without also possessing them. Because of this, the two offenses would "merge" for sentencing purposes, meaning that you could only be sentenced on one of them even if you were convicted of both.
Effective Drug Charges Defense In Columbus, Ohio
You need to take your drug charges seriously. Secure the strongest defense. Let Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC, help. For a free initial consultation with a drug offense attorney in Columbus, call us.