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Drug Possession Crime vs Punishment

Sentencing guidelines for possessing or selling crack cocaine have far exceeded those for powder cocaine for two decades. The American Civil Liberties Union and other critics say arrest from crack possessions have filled prisons with low-level drug dealers and addicts whose punishments were much worse than their crimes. The mandatory federal sentencing guidelines passed by Congress in 1986 require a judge to impose the same sentence for possession of 5 grams of crack as for 500 grams of powder cocaine: five years in prison.

Have you or a loved one been charged with possession of illegal substance? It is imperative that you contact a drug possession attorney who understands the drug laws today!

Bureau of Justice Satatistics:

• Total estimated drug law violation arrests in the U. S. in 2005 = 1,846,351
• Estimated number of arrests for Sale/manufacture in 2005 = 337,900
• Estimated number of arrests for Possession = 1,508,500
• Estimated arrests for drug abuse violations by adults in 2005 = 1,654,600
• Estimated arrests for drug abuse violations by Juveniles in 2005 = 191,800
• Number of arrests for Heroin/cocaine in 2005 = 557,600

House Crime Subcommittee chairman Robert Scott, D-Va., a longtime critic of such sentencing policies, plans to hold hearings on crack sentences this year. In the Senate, Republican Jeff Sessions of Alabama is drawing bipartisan support for his proposal to ease crack sentences. In the House of Representatives, two bills calling for Congress to equalize the sentences for powder cocaine and crack. Scientists say there is no pharmaceutical justification for having different sentencing rules for crack and powder cocaine. There's absolutely no difference between powder cocaine and crack cocaine once the cocaine is in your bloodstream.

With all the changes being sought in Congress for drug possession laws it is even harder to know what your rights are at any given time. Seek professional advice as soon as possible if you are charged with drug possession. You need a drug possession lawyer on your side that understands the drug possession laws and their applications to your specific case. You need a drug possession lawyer that can explain your rights to you clearly.

Have you or a loved one been charged with possession of illegal substance? It is imperative that you contact a drug possession attorney who understands the drug laws today!

*Source: Data provided by U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration as reported in the BJS.

Article written by Juan Carlos Villamil contributing staff writer for SWI Digital, Inc.