CDS drug simply means Controlled Dangerous Substance. The federal and Louisiana law prohibits the possession of CDS drugs as they are substances found to dangerous and damaging based on their potential for abuse. Controlled Dangerous Substances are drugs regulated by federal laws. CDS drug possession without a valid prescription is a serious offense under the law. The result of the possession of a CDS charge is often disastrous if the offender does not know the right way to go about managing the case.

It is illegal in Louisiana to have CDS drugs. These drugs have been put into 5 schedules based on the potential of abuse and dependency. Those that have medical uses require a valid prescription for possession.

Classification of CDS

Louisiana classifies CDS into 5 schedules, with the schedule I being the class of the most dangerous drugs. The drugs in schedule I have the highest probability or potential of abuse and addiction, and usually with no recognizable medical use. The classification of drugs into CDS is used to determine the penalties for possession of specific CDS.

Schedule I Substances

This schedule consists of narcotic drugs or any material, substance, preparation, mixture or compound containing narcotic drugs or their salt. Not more than 1 mg of difenoxin, not less than 25 micrograms of morphine sulfate per dose, and Dextropropoxyphene.

Schedule II Substances

Schedule II contains depressants. Any material, substance, preparation, mixture or compound containing any quantity of depressant drugs, including their isomers, salts, or salts of isomers of the following depressants; Alprazolam, Barbital, Bromazepam, Camazepam, Mebutamate Medazepam, Meprobamate, Chloral betaine, Choral hydrate, Clobazam, Clorazepate, Clonazepam, Clotiazepam, Cloxazolam, Delorazepam, Diazepam, Dichloralphenazone, Estazolam, Ethchlorvynol, Ethinamate, Pinazepam, Prazepam Quazepam Ethyl loflazepate, Fludiazepam, Flunitrazepam, Ketazolam, Loprazolam, Lorazepam, Lormetazepam, Methohexital, Methylphenobarbital (mephobarbital), Midazolam, Flurazepam, Halazepam, Haloxazolam, Nimetazepam, Nitrazepam, Nordiazepam, Oxazepam, Oxazolam, Paraldehyde, Petrichloral, Phenobarbital, , Temazepam, Tretrazepam, Triazolam, Zaleplon, Zolpidem, Zopiclone, and Chlordiazepoxide.

Schedule III Substances

Schedule III contains Fenfluramine. Any material, substance, preparation, mixture or compound containing any quantity of Fenfluramine, including its isomers, salts, and salts, of isomers.

Schedule IV Substances

Schedule IV contains Stimulants. Any material, substance, preparation, mixture or compound containing any quantity of stimulant drugs, including their isomers, salts, or salts of isomers of the following stimulants; Cathine (norpseudoephedrine), Diethylpropion, Fencamfamin, Fenproporex, Mazindol, Mefenorex, Modafinil, Pemoline, Phentermine, Pipradrol, and Sibutramine.

Schedule V Substances

This schedule contains other substances. Any material, substance, preparation, mixture or compound containing any quantity, including the salts, isomers, or salts of the isomer of Pentazocine and Butorphanol.

How to determine if you are illegally in possession of controlled substances

If the police find you in possession of CDS, it doesn’t automatically mean you will be convicted for possession CDS. Before you can be convicted, it must be proven that you were illegally in possession of the substance. The guilt of possession of controlled substance can be determined in the following ways;

Actual possession: for a person to be charged for possession of CDS, they must know that they have possession of the substance and can exercise control over it. A defendant must have physical control over the drug before they can be charged for possession of CDS. You can’t possibly be guilty of possession of CDS when you don’t know it is in your possession. A common example is when someone drops their drug in your bag without your consent or knowledge. We can’t say that you have actual possession of CDS in such a case.
Constructive possession: This is another form in which a person can be charged for possession of CDS. In this case, the drug may not be found on your body but it is found in your property. If a CDS is found in your property or around you, you are constructively in possession of the substance. The police, therefore, have to prove that you intend to exercise control over the drug found in your home, car, etc.
Shared possession: You can be charged for possession of CDS even if you do not have exclusive possession of the substance. For example, if your friend brings a controlled substance into your car, you can be charged for shared possession.

Penalties for CDS Drug Possession

CDS drug possession is one of the crimes with the most severe penalties. Louisiana has a very low tolerance for possession of drugs. The severity of the penalties for possession of CDS depends on factors including the schedule of drug involved, the site of possession, and the criminal history of the offender.

Fine: many possession of CDS conviction requires the offender to pay fines, ranging from minor fines of up to $100 to major fines of up to $100,000 or more. For example, possession of 400 grams of a schedule I substance can incur a fine of up to $250,000 along with other penalties. The amount of fine depends on the schedule of the drug and the amount found in possession of the offender.
Jail time: upon possession of CDS conviction, the offender may be incarcerated in the county jail. Jail time depends on the schedule of drugs, the number of drugs caught with, the site of possession and others. Jail time for possession of CDS can range from a few days to 10 years or more.
Probation: probation sentences are given in possession of CDS cases along with other penalties. A probation sentence requires the offender to go for regular checks with a probation officer while also obeying probation terms.

You need a Criminal Lawyer

Due to the significant consequences and penalties associated with possession of CDS crime, you need to get a lawyer to defend your case. Upon an arrest, you should contact your lawyer as soon as possible. A defense attorney can make a difference between you getting a conviction or getting your case dismissed.

The proper way to manage a CDS drug possession case can is to get through to Carl Barkemeyer as soon as possible. Delay can be dangerous when it comes to possession of CDS crime. Carl Barkemeyer has lengthy experience in criminal cases, trust him to help with proper defense and representation on your case. Contact Carl Barkemeyer today.