Ohio Drug Sentencing Chart
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Face an Ohio Drug Sentence Head-On with the Right Representation
Ohio’s drug possession laws are some of the harshest and most complex in the country. As drug overdoses continue to climb, it becomes clear why state laws are increasingly more strict. Ohio drug law prohibits individuals from obtaining, possessing, or using a controlled substance. If charged, you may face life-altering consequences, from years of imprisonment to steep fines, not to mention the financial impact of felony charges on your record.
You should never leave your defense up to chance. With expert legal counsel, there is always the opportunity to dismiss your charge or reduce your potential penalties. For a deeper understanding of the risks of your drug possession and circumstances, review the Ohio drug sentencing chart below. At Malek Law LLC, we are here to help those arrested on drug charges by minimizing or avoiding the consequences of conviction using constitutional challenges.
Ohio Drug Sentencing Chart For Possession
Not only are Ohio drug laws strict, but they are also known to be complex. In Ohio, drugs are categorized into Schedules, with Schedule I and Schedule II drugs being the most dangerous and carrying the harshest penalty. If you are unsure of where your charge falls, review our breakdown of the most common drugs and their placement, including heroin, ketamine, cocaine, fentanyl, Xanax, Motofen, and more. Review our Ohio Drug Sentencing Chart to better understand associated penalties, from fines to years of imprisonment.
In Ohio, the penalty for a drug conviction depends on not only the type of drug, but on the quantity of it, or rather the “bulk amount,” as pre-determined by a set formula. Bulk amounts vary depending on the drug and are often the difference between years in prison and thousands in fines. Depending on your location, whether you were near a school or park, or you were selling or distributing, you may face even higher consequences.
If you are unsure of how your drug quantity might impact you in court, call our team for a free private consultation today.
Ohio Drug Sentencing Chart
| Schedule | Amount | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule I or Schedule II | Less than the bulk amount | F-5: Among the least severe. Between 6-12 months of imprisonment, and up to a $2,500 fine. Potentially 5 years of probation. |
| Bulk amount or more, but less than five times the bulk amount | F-3: Between 9-36 months of imprisonment, in addition to a possible $10,000 fine. The court may impose three years of PRC. |
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| Five times the bulk amount or more, but less than 50 times the bulk amount | F-2: Up to $15,000 fine, imprisonment for up to 2 and 8 years. Up to 5 years of probation. |
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| 50 times the bulk amount or more, but less than 100 times bulk amount | F-1: The most serious. A prison sentence is 3-11 years, with a fine of up to $20,000, and up to 5 years of probation. |
|
| Schedule III, IV, or V | Less than the bulk amount | M-1: Up to 180 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, |
| Bulk amount or more, but less than five times the bulk amount | F-4: On Average, 6-18 months of imprisonment, up to $5,000 in fines, and up to 5 years of probation. |
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| Five times the bulk amount, but less than 50 times bulk amount | F-3: Between 9-36 months of imprisonment, up to a $10,000 fine, and up to 3 years of probation. |
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| 50 times the bulk amount | F-2: Imprisonment for 2-8 years, a fine up to $15,000, and up to 5 years of probation. |
Additionally, penalties for drug crimes last your whole life, extending beyond imprisonment and probation. Once convicted, you will face a permanent criminal record and can lose custody of your children, face a driver’s license suspension, restrictions in employment, and lose voting and gun ownership rights.
Fortunately, once you understand the severity of your case by using an Ohio drug sentencing chart, and have the right representation, you may have the opportunity to have your charge dismissed or substantially reduced depending on your circumstances.
How Do I Choose A Lawyer For A Drug Charge?
The prosecution will use every strategy at their disposal to pursue a conviction, particularly if you are found with large drug quantities. Your best defense always begins by remaining silent when confronted and requesting for an attorney to be present. Having an expert drug lawyer on your side at all times prevents you from helping the prosecution stack the odds against you.
With an expert team that knows when to challenge the execution of a warrant or when to file a motion to suppress evidence, you will be fully equipped to fight for the best possible outcome no matter the case. Malek Law LLC has specialized experience in numerous drug-related cases, from charges of drug possession to possession of chemicals for illegal manufacturing, the unauthorized sale of prescription drugs, drug abuse, cases of asset forfeiture related to drugs, and is even certified to handle federal drug trafficking charges. Mount the best defense for your case with a team that helps you better understand your situation with clear tools, including the Ohio drug sentencing chart and a list of illegal drugs, and explore your options with years of legal insight.
Don’t Wait to Build Your Case, Create Reasonable Doubt in Your Drug Case Today
At Malek Law LLC, we understand how intimidating it is to navigate the legal process alone and how that impacts overall decision-making. We help you identify the best defense for your drug possession case, whether it was the result of an illegal search and seizure, you didn’t realize drugs were in your possession, you have a doctor’s prescription, and more. Our Ohio criminal defense team excels at creating reasonable doubt if your case goes to trial, and protects you within the confines of the constitution. You are always innocent until proven guilty, and our law firm is here to ensure none of your rights are being infringed on.
Stack the odds in your favor by mounting a better defense with a trusted team today.
