As a business owner, keeping informed about the finer points of employment law is important. If you're getting ready to hire your first employees, you need to be sure that you understand exactly what you can and cannot do. Don't risk getting yourself into legal trouble by asking the wrong question at the interview or making an off-hand comment that's considered legally unacceptable. I created this site to give you the basics of employment law expectations. I hope that the information here helps you to understand what you should and shouldn't do as you're interviewing and hiring your first staff members.
Irene Robertson
If you have been arrested with drugs or drug paraphernalia, there are various charges you can face depending on the circumstances of your arrest and the amount of drug you were arrested with. Here are the different drugs charges you may face depending on your situation:
Drug Possession
This charge applies to those who are knowingly in possession of an illegal drug. Therefore, if you have borrowed a neighbor's lawn mower without knowing that they had hidden cocaine on the underside of the mower, you will not be charged with drug possession even if you are arrested with the mower and the drug is found. Here are a few things to note about this drug charge:
Possession Is Both Actual Constructive
This means you can face drug possession charges whether the drug is found on you or in something you over which you have control. Therefore, whether the illegal drug is found in your pockets or in a car parked in your garage, you can still be charged with drug possession.
The Actual Drug Doesn't Have To Be There
In some cases, you can be charged with drug possession if you are found with the chemicals and tools used for manufacturing illegal drugs even if the drug itself is not there. The only defense would be to prove an alternative viable use for the substances.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking refers to the crime of distributing or selling drugs on a grand scale though the exact definition of 'grand' here varies by state. This means if you are found with a large volume of drugs, the police may charge you with drug trafficking if they believe the volume is too high for your own personal use. The higher the volume of drugs you are found with the harsher your punishment is likely to be.
Drug Dealing
Drug dealing refers to the act of supplying or selling illegal drugs. It is roughly similar to drug trafficking but the amounts of drugs involved are smaller. This also means that the punishment or sentences are relatively lower than those of drug trafficking charges. However, the actual punishment depends on the actual volume of the drug you are alleged to have been trafficking.
Drug accusations are serious charges irrespective of the specific charge. Therefore, this is not the type of charge you should face without the involvement of a criminal defense lawyer; consult one as soon as possible after your arrest.