Posts tagged as:

Controlled Substances Act

Drugs: Simple Possession

October 12, 2009 Drug Offenses

There are two basic drug offenses in the District of Columbia: (1) drug possession, and (2) drug dealing. Today’s entry will deal with the misdemeanor offense of drug possession. The crime of drug possession requires: (1) knowing or intentional (2) possession of (3) controlled substance. The defendant can use the affirmative defense that the contraband [...]

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Penalties: Drug Distribution

October 6, 2009 Drug Offenses

The penalty in D.C. for a conviction for drug distribution or possession with intent to distribute depends on the type of drug involved. In earlier posts, I described how the D.C. Code groups controlled substances into five schedules depending on the drug’s potential for abuse and its level of acceptable medical uses in treatment. The [...]

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Penalties: Simple Possession of Illegal Drugs

October 5, 2009 Drug Offenses

The maximum penalty for a first conviction of simple possession in the District of Columbia, regardless of the substance involved, is 180 days of incarceration, with a maximum fine of $1000. The maximum penalty for a second or subsequent conviction would be double that – a maximum of 360 days of incarceration and a $2000 [...]

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Drug Distribution

October 3, 2009 Drug Offenses

The second major drug offense in the District of Columbia is the felony charge of drug distribution or possession with intent to distribute (PWID) – what we generally refer to as “drug dealing.” In order to secure a conviction for this offense, the prosecution must prove that the defendant (1) knowingly or intentionally (2) manufactured, [...]

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