Drug possession

Drug possession is the crime of having one or more illegal drugs in one's possession, either for personal use, distribution, sale or otherwise. Illegal drugs fall into different categories and sentences vary depending on the amount, type of drug, circumstances, jurisdiction and political influence of the possessor (and their family).

Related Topics:
Crime - Illegal drugs

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In the U.S., the penalty for illegal drug possession and sale can vary from 1 year to a life sentence. Most non-violent first time offenders guilty of drug possession gets mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years with no parole, or 10 years with no parole if he has a large quantity of drugs. This prison time is doubled (10 or 20 years) if has been imprisoned for drug possession before. Selling drugs, owning a gun, and other factors add more prison time. Mandatory minimum sentence can be avoided in rare situations when the defendant helps authorities to turn in other defendants or qualifies for the 'safety valve', a program that can help non-violent first time offenders by sentencing under the sentencing guidelines instead. Maximum sentences can be up to a life sentence.

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The War on Drugs is causing an prison overcrowding problem in the U.S. In 1996, 59.6% of prisonetrs were drug-related criminals. U.S. population grew by about +25% from 1980 to 2000. In that same 20 year time period, U.S. prison population tripled. To make room in prison for incoming drug users and dealers, all inmates, including violent criminals, are having their sentences shortened or are being paroled early.

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