Drug Crimes

In the state of Ohio, drug crimes are often designated as either drug-defined offenses or drug-related offenses.  A drug-defined offense means that you have been charged with the direct violation of a law regulating or prohibiting the manufacture, possession, distribution or use of illegal drugs. Drug-defined charges can include:

• Possession of Controlled Substance (PCS)
• Trafficking of Controlled Substance (Sale/Distribution)
• Possession with Intent to Sell Controlled Substance
• Marijuana Cultivation
• Manufacturing Methamphetamine

Drug-related offenses, on the other hand, are crimes motivated by the offender’s drug use. A theft committed to get money to buy drugs, or violence between drug dealers or gangs are examples of drug-related offenses. Additionally, Ohio’s DUI/OVI laws mean you can be charged for operating a vehicle while impaired, even if you have not consumed any alcohol and even if the vehicle you were operating was not motorized.

Convictions are Public Record

In addition to state charges, it’s important to realize that drug crimes can also be charged as federal offenses under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Controlled substances include cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, methamphetamine, heroin and  prescription drugs, among others. As a result, if you have been charged with a drug-based or drug-related crime, it is important that you hire an attorney with both state and federal experience.

Penalties for drug offenses in Ohio can range from fines, to mandatory prison time, to a mandatory license suspension ranging from six months to three years. Because convictions are public record in Ohio and records can’t be sealed, there are long term consequences for having a record including the potential loss of professional licenses and student financial aid.