Hardly a day passes without the evening news or the local paper mentioning drugs and drug charges. While the frequency of these charges has increased recently, the consequences have remained rigid.
North Dakota State Law
According to North Dakota state law, it is a class C felony to possess the most controlled dangerous substance, or CDS, without a valid medical prescription. By definition, controlled dangerous substances are well-known drugs, such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. The classification also includes the compounds used to create them.
If charged with possessing a CDS, penalties can include a fine of up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison. There is also a possibility of both penalties. Both the fine and the prison sentence double when a CDS is possessed on or within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare, or preschool facility. Possession of a CDS near school property is a class B felony.
The Consequences of Drug Charges
The legal consequences are quite hefty and can be a huge burden, but even more of the burden can last longer than the jail sentence or fine payment. Many people who have been convicted of a felony on drug charges have difficulties finding jobs. Even obtaining interviews to get jobs has proven to be a struggle. Other possible impacts drug convictions cause are an inability to join the military and a failure to keep your college loans.
Also, mandatory penalties can increase if you have prior drug felonies, for example in federal drug cases, a certified drug prior can increase a minimum penalty from 10- years to 20 years or 20 years to life in prison.
Drug charges are stressful and overwhelming if you have to face them alone. If you have been charged with a drug-related crime, do not hesitate to call 701-235-8000 or 877-235-8002 to contact attorney Tatum O’Brien at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys today.
