Drug possession charges can result in prison sentences, fines, probation, and community service. They can also make it difficult to find work or travel. Employers may ask about criminal records, making job prospects dimmer. Possession with intent to sell carries a prison sentence, while lighter cases may require substance abuse programs. Drug charges can also lead to school suspension or expulsion.
A drug possession charge often carries a prison sentence or a fine, and quite often the offender is given a probation or community service requirement. Penalties for a drug possession charge vary from place to place, but generally some sort of fine will be imposed. However, the lasting effects of a drug possession charge can linger, making it more difficult to find work and even making it more difficult to travel to another country. Many offenders find it difficult to find or keep a job after being charged with possession, and other implications can accompany drug charges.
Many employers now ask prospective employees to list and describe any crimes or misdemeanors the candidate may have committed. While this alone is not always a reason to dismiss the candidate from employment, it can make the candidate’s job prospects much dimmer. Employers prefer to hire employees without a criminal record, so a drug possession charge can make the candidate’s application less attractive to a potential employer. Depending on the circumstances of the drug possession charge, a current employer may also choose to fire the employee, although the employer must be careful to do so legally. If the drug allegations have in any way affected the business – the employee missed a shift, for example, or was in possession of drugs while at work – the employer has a reason and the right to fire the employee.
The more serious charge of drug possession with intent to sell or distribute almost always carries a prison sentence. The sentence will vary depending on the court seised, but an offender can spend a year or more in prison due to possession with intent to sell or distribute. Lighter cases of drug possession can be managed by requiring the offender to participate in a substance abuse program, which can last from several weeks to several years, depending on the severity of the charges and whether the offender is whether or not you have been charged for the first time, or whether you are a repeat offender.
Other problems that can arise following a drug possession charge include suspension or expulsion from school, especially if the offender is caught on campus with drugs or if they have sold or intended to sell drugs on a campus school. A school may choose to suspend or expel the student, although other actions may be taken depending on the seriousness of the crime.
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