Drug Possession Penalties in Oklahoma
May 23, 2014 by Adler Markoff & Associates
The War on Drugs rages on, even after decades of what many people believe has been a largely futile effort. Laws are made by legislators, and legislators want to keep their jobs. Therefore, laws are enacted that tend to react to public outcry, which means that when it comes to drug possession, Oklahoma has some of the toughest laws and penalties in the United States. Anyone who faces these types of charges should seek the immediate help of Oklahoma City drug possession defense attorneys, and below is a brief overview of the penalties a convicted defendant could face in Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA DRUG POSSESSION CRIMINAL PENALTIES – FIRST OFFENSE DEFENSE
If someone is convicted of Oklahoma drug possession for the first time, the type of punishment he or she will face will depend largely on the type and amount of drugs that are found during the arrest. For instance, certain substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine and others that are considered more ‘serious’ substances could lead to a prison term of at least two years for a first conviction, and that penalty could go up to 10 years based on several factors. If the substance found is marijuana or other ‘less serious’ substances, the convicted defendant could face up to one year of incarceration.
OKLAHOMA DRUG POSSESSION CRIMINAL PENALTIES – SECOND OFFENSES DEFENSE
If a defendant is arrested, tried and convicted of a second drug possession offense in Oklahoma, the potential penalties become much harsher. For instance, someone found with methamphetamine in his or her possession and is convicted for it for a second time will face at least four years and up to 20 years in prison. If someone is found to have marijuana or other substances classified a certain way by Oklahoma law, the penalty for a second conviction could rise to 10 years.
If you or someone you love faces prosecution for drug possession in Oklahoma, you have immediate work to do in order to properly protect your legal rights. Contact the Oklahoma City drug possession defense lawyers at AMA Law today to schedule a free initial consultation.