Man, woman accused of drug-related offenses in South Carolina

Law enforcement officials detained a 43-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman on charges of drug possession after authorities executed a search warrant at a Hartsville residence on Oct. 15. Deputies from the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office reportedly seized crack cocaine, marijuana, money and associated drug paraphernalia.

The 43-year-old man is facing five counts of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, third offense. The woman was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. According to authorities, the amount of cocaine seized at the Hartsville residence was 4.7 grams. Furthermore, authorities reported that the Hartsville residence belongs to the 43-year-old man.

The state of South Carolina takes a very serious approach toward drug crimes, such as the offenses that the two individuals in this particular case have been accused of. An individual charged with possession of cocaine could be assessed a two-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted. If the offender had a prior drug conviction, the prison sentence may be increased to five years.

On account of the consequences that may potentially accompany a drug conviction, many accused individuals retain the counsel and resources of a criminal defense attorney to help mount a serious defense against the charges. The defense lawyer may review the circumstances surrounding the evidence collection to ensure that the accused individual’s constitutional rights had not been violated. Moreover, the attorney may subject any allegedly incriminating evidence to intense scrutiny. In this way, the defense attorney may identify invalid evidence and cast doubt upon the prosecution’s case. Without substantial evidence, the drug charges may prove to be too specious to uphold.

Source: statelaws.findlaw.com, Oct. 20, 2014

Source: The Hartsville Messenger, “Hartsville residents arrested on drug charges“, October 15, 2014