Drug Crime Lawyer Greenville, SC

Drug possession charges in South Carolina make it unlawful to knowingly possess a controlled substance without a valid prescription. The severity of the charge and therefore potential penalties depend on the type of drug, the amount involved, and whether prosecutors believe the possession was for personal use or tied to distribution. 

For a first offense, simple possession may be charged as a misdemeanor in limited circumstances, particularly for small amounts of certain substances. Even then, penalties can include jail time, fines, probation, mandatory drug programs, and a permanent criminal record. 

Subsequent offenses carry significantly harsher consequences. Prior convictions can elevate charges to felonies, increase mandatory minimum sentences, and reduce eligibility for diversion or alternative sentencing. A Greenville drug possession lawyer like AnneMarie Odom can review how the statute applies to your case, assess prior record exposure, and work to limit the long term impact of a possession charge.

Active Possession vs. Constructive Possession

Certain drug possession charges may be classified as either active or constructive. Active possession means the drugs were found directly on you, such as in a pocket, bag, or hand. Constructive possession applies when drugs were not on your person but prosecutors claim you had knowledge of the drugs and the ability to exercise control over them, such as items found in a vehicle or shared space. Constructive drug possession cases rely heavily on circumstantial evidence and are frequently challenged by the defense.

Possession with intent to distribute is treated as a serious criminal offense under South Carolina law. Prosecutors may pursue PWID charges in South Carolina when they believe illegal drugs were not meant for personal use, but rather were intended to be sold. These cases do not require proof of an actual sale, though. Instead, intent is often inferred from factors such as the quantity of drugs, packaging materials, scales, cash, or communications found during the arrest.

PWID charges carry significantly harsher penalties than simple possession, including felony convictions, mandatory jail or prison time, and substantial fines. Because intent is frequently based on circumstantial evidence, these cases often present opportunities to challenge how law enforcement interpreted the evidence and whether the charge is legally supported.

Drug manufacturing charges involve allegations that a person produced, prepared, compounded, or processed illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, or other controlled substances in violation of state law. These cases may stem from accusations tied to home labs, chemical precursors, cultivation, or equipment used to create the drugs. Manufacturing charges are treated as felony offenses and carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines.

Because these cases often rely on search warrants, forensic testing, and technical evidence, a strong defense matters. An aggressive South Carolina drug manufacturing defense attorney can examine whether law enforcement followed proper procedures, challenge how substances were identified, and contest whether the evidence truly supports a manufacturing charge rather than a lesser offense.

Drug trafficking charges carry some of the harshest consequences in the criminal justice system and involve severe penalties under state law. These offenses are triggered by the type and weight of the substance involved, not proof of an actual sale. Once a statutory threshold is met, prosecutors may pursue trafficking charges automatically.

Convictions frequently include mandatory fines and lengthy prison sentences, with limited discretion for judges to reduce penalties, even for first offenses. For a second or third offense, sentencing exposure increases dramatically, and a conviction can result in a minimum prison sentence of up to 25 years or more. These penalties apply regardless of intent and can permanently affect your freedom and future.

A strong defense strategy early in the case is essential when facing charges of this magnitude. As a seasoned drug trafficking defense attorney, AnneMarie Odom works closely with her legal team to challenge the evidence, including search and seizure issues, drug weight calculations, and whether the facts support trafficking charges rather than a lesser offense. 

South Carolina continues to enforce marijuana laws strictly, despite changes in other states. Under South Carolina law, marijuana remains illegal for recreational use, and arrests for possession and distribution still occur regularly. Law enforcement agencies actively pursue these cases, particularly when larger quantities or aggravating factors are involved. 

Because enforcement standards remain firm, even a minor marijuana charge can carry lasting legal and personal consequences. With an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, you have the best chance at fighting these charges head on and securing a favorable outcome. 

Possessing items used to store, prepare, ingest, or conceal illegal drugs is also a crime in South Carolina. Common examples include pipes, syringes, scales, baggies, or other objects prosecutors claim are tied to drug use or distribution. These charges often accompany possession or trafficking allegations but may also be filed on their own.

Prosecutors typically rely on the surrounding circumstances, such as residue, proximity to drugs, or statements made during an arrest, to support the charge. Because these cases frequently hinge on interpretation rather than direct evidence, paraphernalia charges are often challenged as overreaching or unsupported by the facts.

Prescription drug charges in involve allegations of unauthorized possession, prescription fraud, or illegal distribution of medications that require a valid prescription. Common cases include possessing pills without a lawful prescription, using another person’s prescription, altering or forging prescriptions, or obtaining medications through deception, such as “doctor shopping” or fraud involving pharmacies or healthcare providers. 

If you or a loved one is facing these charges, AnneMarie Odom Law can help by reviewing prescription records, police reports, and search procedures to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and protect your rights. By challenging how evidence was obtained and how intent is alleged, our Greenville, South Carolina law firm works to limit penalties and pursue outcomes that protect your record and future.

When two or more people agree to engage in a criminal operation, such as selling or distributing drugs in an open-air drug market, either explicitly or implicitly, they may face drug conspiracy charges in South Carolina. In these cases, prosecutors do not need to prove that drugs were actually sold or transferred. Instead, they rely on evidence of an agreement, intent, and some action taken in furtherance of the alleged plan.

These cases frequently involve phone records, text messages, informants, or surveillance, and defendants may face the same penalties as if they committed the underlying drug offense themselves. Because conspiracy charges often rest on circumstantial evidence and statements from others seeking leniency, they present important opportunities to challenge credibility, intent, and the strength of the alleged agreement.