Facing any type of felony charge could cause you to potentially face severe outcomes if a conviction takes place. Drug trafficking charges typically fall into the felony category, but various details regarding your situation could impact the severity of allegations and potential outcomes. One factor that could affect your case relates to the type of drug allegedly involved.
Drugs of all types fall into different categories. Controlled substances often cause the most legal concern. These substances have various classifications that fall into schedule categories depending on potential uses for medical purposes as well as potential for abuse. You may wish to consider the following information to determine what category associates with the type of drug you have been accused of allegedly trafficking.
Schedule I
Controlled substances that fall into the category of Schedule I have a high chance of abuse and do not have use in the medical field in the United States. Some of the more common substances that fall into this group include:
- Heroin
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Methaqualone, or Quaaludes
- Ecstasy
Schedule II
With substances that fall into the Schedule II category, certain drugs may have at least some medical use in the United States but could also lead to psychological or physical dependence due to the considerable potential for abuse. Some Schedule II substances and their brand names include:
- Hydromorphone, AKA: Dilaudid
- Methadone, AKA: Dolophine
- Meperidine, AKA: Demerol
- Oxycodone, AKA: OxyContin, Percocet
- Amphetamine, AKA: Adderall, Dexedrine
- Methamphetamine, AKA: Desoxyn
- Methylphenidate, AKA: Ritalin
- Morphine
- Opium
- Codeine
Schedule III
Substances in the Schedule III category may still present a potential for abuse but not as much as those in the previous categories. Examples of these substances include:
- Vicodin
- Tylenol with Codeine
- Suboxone
- Ketamine
- Benzphetamine
- Anabolic steroids
Schedule IV
Controlled substances that fall into the Schedule IV classification have a low likelihood of abuse when compared to previously mentioned substances. This category includes:
- Alprazolam, AKA: Xanax
- Carisoprodol, AKA: Soma
- Clonazepam, AKA: Klonopin
- Diazepam, AKA: Valium
Schedule V
The last category for controlled substances is Schedule V, and substances in this group have a low potential for abuse, including:
- Robitussin AC
- Phenergan with Codeine
- Ezogabine
Allegations for trafficking controlled substances
If you face charges for drug trafficking of controlled substances, you will likely face a higher potential for significantly stricter punishment if the alleged situation involved drugs from the Schedule I category than for those of a lower group. Of course, in order for any type of punishment to come about, the court must first convict you of the charges. Luckily, you have the ability to defend against such allegations in hopes of gaining the best possible outcome for your particular circumstances.