Unfortunately for many people seeking treatment, there are not only personal repercussions for substance abuse but there is also a long list of drug charges and sentences that can change the course of your life entirely. Evoke Wellness at Miramar, providers of drug treatment programs in South Florida, have created this introduction to the sentencing guidelines for drugs to ensure that the information is available to anyone suffering from substance abuse. Having all of the risks laid out for an addict could be the only way of getting them to start their path to wellness.
Cocaine Sentencing
Drug sentences for cocaine vary widely. The main intent of the laws is to help combat drug trafficking. Nonetheless, they can alter the course of an entire life in a matter of moments. Criminal possession of cocaine starts at 28 grams, for which you can expect a $50,000 fine and 3 years in prison as minimum sentencing. The next benchmark in sentencing for drugs of this kind is at the 200-gram mark. You can now expect to spend 7 years in jail and be forced to pay $100,000 in fines. The next level would be at the 400-gram mark. For this, sentences are expected to be about 15 years in prison with a forfeiture of $250,000.
Opiate Sentencing
Sentences for drugs that fall under the umbrella identification of opiates can be quite harsh, and opioids are often included in these sentences. Criminal penalties begin to appear when someone is in possession of 4 or more grams of a substance of this kind. At the lightest criminal sentencing, you can expect to see forfeitures of $50,000, and the mandatory minimum sentencing for drugs that are classified as opiates is 3 years in prison. The next jump in severity is when someone is in possession of 14 grams. Here the sentence for drugs jumps all the way up to 15 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. But that’s not as far as it can go. When someone is in possession of 28 or more grams of opiates, they can lose a quarter-century of their life behind bars and be subject to $500,000 in monetary penalties.
Oxycodone Sentencing
Oxycodone’s popularity has meant that more and more people are being subjected to harsh fines and criminal sentencing for drugs of this kind. The sentence for drugs, in this case, can range from 3 years and $50,000 fees for individuals caught with 7 to 14 grams of a substance to 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine for possession of 100 grams or more.
Cannabis Sentencing
Cannabis may have become more legally available recently, but it still has the potential to ruin the lives of users who develop an abuse issue. Possession of 25 pounds of the substance can land someone with a prison sentence of 3 years and a penalty of $50,000. On the higher end of the spectrum, 10,000 pounds of cannabis, an amount far beyond most recreational uses, can result in $200,000 being imposed as a fine and 15 years in prison being sentenced.
Our South Florida Drug Rehabilitation Center
If you or somebody you know is suffering from a substance abuse issue and is seeking treatment, be sure to contact Evoke Miramar, our substance abuse treatment and drug detox in Florida. Our team of experts will work around the clock to ensure you receive the proper support to begin living a fully healthy and happy life again. Get started today or read some of our other articles to learn more.
