Penalties are determined on the type (classification), amount of the drug and your past criminal record. Drugs are classified by schedules which are based on the potential for abuse and whether there is any accepted medical use as follows:

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• Schedule I drug examples are heroin, ecstasy (MDMA), acid, bath salts which are considered the highest potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use.

• Schedule II drug examples are oxycodone, percocet, morphine, fentanyl, codeine, methadone, oxycontin which are considered a high risk of abuse but do have accepted medical use.

• Schedule III drug examples are ketamine, anabolic steroids, which are considered a moderate risk of abuse but have accepted medical use.

• Schedule IV drug examples are xanax, ambien which have a low potential for abuse and accepted medical use. 

• Schedule V drug examples are cough syrup which have a low potential for abuse and accepted medical use.

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Schedule I drugs are punishable with more severe penalties because of their high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Also, the prosecution will use the amount of the drug to determine if they believe it was for your possession or if your intent was to sell it.

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The charges can range from simple possession to trafficking of drugs and the penalties can be punished as a minor disorderly persons offense to a 1st degree felony. Regardless of the type of drug crime you are accused of committing, you need the experienced legal team at the Di Rienzo Law Office on your side.