Knowing the difference between types of drug charges is important for anyone living in South Carolina. In order to better grasp what each charge means, it is important to understand the nuances of the situation and how to identify each one.
The two most common types, according to FindLaw, are paraphernalia and possession. Paraphernalia includes the items used to prepare or consume illegal drugs, which are sometimes disguised as equipment used for legal drugs. Generally, using these items for something that is not their intended purpose can complicate matters. Beyond just paraphernalia, possession also is another variety of a drug-related charge. The definition of possession is the ownership and control over the illegal drug substance itself. Being in possession of a drug has different legal outcomes from state to state, due to factors such as the type of drug and how much you have of it on you at the time.
Drug trafficking is yet another term to know. When you transport or trade mass amounts of drugs for money or other items, which is the definition of drug trafficking, it is another distinct type of drug charge. The difference between trafficking and dealing is the scale of the incident. Drug dealing typically only used to refer to selling or trading lesser amounts of certain substances, whereas drug trafficking refers to selling or trading larger amounts. These two situations may impact what type of case you have.
The types of drug-related charges can be confusing for someone who is not aware of the differences. Educating yourself about each one can make the issue clearer.
