Methamphetamine is one of the most dangerous and highly addictive drugs available. It produces a fast and powerful euphoria that is difficult to resist for those who have experienced it. However, the drug does have some medical benefits, and if you have certain health issues, a doctor may prescribe a low dose. However, this is extremely rare. For the most part, meth use in California is a crime, and if you are facing charges related to methamphetamines, you have a great deal at risk.
Because of meth’s highly addictive nature, the Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a Schedule II drug, which means it presents a high potential for addiction or abuse. Its classification also means that crimes involving meth carry severe penalties for conviction. If you have recently been arrested for offenses related to methamphetamine, your future and your freedom may be in jeopardy.
Crimes involving meth
Manufacturing meth gained a lot of attention in recent years, and the simplicity of the ingredients led to nationwide restrictions on certain over-the-counter antihistamines used in the process. Manufacturing meth is dangerous, and a conviction for this offense can include hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and the potential for decades in a federal prison.
Possession of meth becomes a very serious charge if police accuse you of knowingly having more than five grams on your person or within your access. However, authorities consider quantities greater than 5 grams as cause for charges of possession with intent to distribute, otherwise known as trafficking. A conviction for drug trafficking can result in fines and jail, but at the federal level, you may be facing up to 40 years in prison per count.
The brutal consequences of a conviction for meth crimes
Fines and prison are the penalties you might hear about most when it comes to drug crimes. However, a conviction for possession, manufacturing or trafficking methamphetamines can result in other consequences you may not be expecting. For example, if you have children, it is possible authorities could decide to remove them from your home if they conclude the children are in danger of exposure to the drugs or are neglected because of your alleged drug use.
If you are facing charges of drug crimes, especially those involving methamphetamines or other Schedule I or II drugs, you have a lot to lose. Time is of the essence, and you will want to take steps quickly to begin building a strong criminal defense strategy.