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Question: What are the charges for cocaine possession to distribute?

Answer:

The federal government has rules for the penalties federal judges can use against drug possession and trafficking.

 

Federal courts can sentence a person for up to 6 years for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, including the distribution of a small amount (less than 250 grams) of marijuana. A life sentence can result from possession of a controlled substance that results in death or bodily injury of someone else. Possession of more than 5 grams of cocaine can trigger an "intent to distribute" penalty of 10 to 16 years in prison.

 

In Arizona, possession of nine grams of powder cocaine or 750 milligrams of cocaine base is considered "trafficking", with a sentence of 5 years prison.  A judge may sentence an offender to a minimum of 4 years in prison if special mitigating  factors are present, or a maximum of 10 years if aggravating factors are present. An offender convicted of trafficking is not eligible for suspension of sentence or release until the offender has served the sentence imposed by the court.

 

The various prosecutors - state and federal - will decide whether to prosecute an offender under state or federal law.


Comments
1 thru 3 of 3 comments
On 04/18/09
Meliss from GA said:
I was a part of a huge investigation in GA which was nothing but a Prostitution Charge, a misdemeanor and because it was so high profile they had my co defendant set me up to pick up a gram of cocaine for her...I was arrested spent 30 days in jail, had to plea out 1st offender on the possession of a VCVGA, prostitution, running a brothel and give up my 4th amendment rights, in exchange for 7 years probation or 17 years...since then I have met people with more sever offenses and they are doing maybe 3 years, so tell me how a corrupt DA gets away with this? Good Luck!
On 12/17/08
olivia from VA said:
My boyfriend just got charged with possession of weed and cocaine after the five'o busted down his friends door. It's his first offense for possession. What's the most that could happen?
On 06/25/06
pat from GA said:
My boyfriend is awaiting for a trial in GA on possesion of cocaine with intent to distribute and possesion of a firearm during a crime, but this is his first time in trouble. What could happen? also can he plead for the 1st time offenders law?
1 thru 3 of 3 comments



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