Heroin Possession Charges and Penalties Louisiana
If you are wondering about heroin possession charges and penalties Louisiana, you’re in the right place. Heroin is a highly addictive drug that can have serious consequences for those who abuse it. If you are caught possessing heroin in Louisiana, you could face severe penalties, including prison time and fines related to your drug charges.
What Is Heroin?
Regular heroin use alters the brain in ways that can result in being physically dependent on it. When dependence is present, a person will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using this drug or do not get their regular dose. This means addiction may develop rapidly and without warning after only a couple of times using heroin. The risk of overdose increases as tolerance to heroin increases.
Heroin affects the brain by altering the way it perceives pain and pleasure. Regular heroin use alters the brain in ways that can result in being physically dependent on it. When dependence is present, a person will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using this drug or do not get their regular dose. The onset of these symptoms shows that someone has abused heroin.
Because of how strong of a drug heroin is, you can expect to receive some hefty charges and penalties if you are caught in possession of it.
Heroin Classification When Facing Possession Charges
Under Louisiana law, heroin is classified as a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. This means that the possession of even a small amount of heroin can result in criminal charges. Penalties for heroin possession can vary depending on the quantity of the drug involved, but they typically include fines and prison time.
Schedule I Controlled Substance
Do you know what a Schedule I controlled substance is? If you don’t live in Louisiana, you may not be familiar with the term. A Schedule I controlled substance is a drug or other substance that has been determined by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in treatment.
Louisiana law states that Schedule I controlled substances have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in treatment. The following are some examples of Louisiana’s Schedule I drugs: marijuana (cannabis), heroin, LSD, ecstasy (MDMA) or molly, peyote cactus plant product used as an illicit drug; and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a depressant that is often used as a “club drug.” All Schedule I controlled substances are illegal to possess, and Louisiana has harsh penalties for those caught with them.
Charges and Penalties For Heroin Possession
If you are convicted of heroin possession in Louisiana, you could face up to five years in prison and/or a $5000 fine. However, if you are caught with more than 28 grams of heroin, you could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and/or a $200,000 fine. It is important to note that these penalties are just for possessing the drug; if you are caught trafficking or selling heroin, the penalties will be even more severe.
Repeat Offenders Of Heroin Possession And Other Drug Crimes
Louisiana also has a three strikes law, which means that if you are convicted of a third felony drug offense, you could face up to 20 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. Louisiana’s heroin possession laws are very strict, and the penalties can be extremely harsh. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately if you have been charged with possessing heroin or any other illegal drugs.
Conclusion: Heroin Possession Charges And Penalties Louisiana
If you’ve been charged with a crime involving heroin possession in Louisiana, contact Barkemeyer Law Firm for help today! We will work tirelessly on your behalf so that we can achieve the best possible outcome for your case. We have several locations in Louisiana and can’t wait to help. Contact us on this page here.
We hope you understand everything about heroin possession charges and penalties Louisiana and wish you all the best.
