How Long Can I Go to Jail for Trafficking in Kentucky?
Trafficking illegal drugs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky can lead to high fines and long prison sentences. Although no one plans to get caught trafficking drugs, it is better to know what penalties you could face than be left in the dark. Regardless of whether this is your first felony charge or your tenth, contact an experienced Kentucky criminal defense attorney right away if you have been charged with trafficking in Kentucky.
Trafficking Schedule I and Schedule II drugs, excluding marijuana, in Kentucky will subject you to the harshest penalties. These drugs include heroin, GHB, LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamines, methadone, opium, and cocaine. The first offense is punishable by up to ten years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The second and subsequent offenses are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine. The first offense of trafficking less than eight ounces of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by a maximum of 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second or subsequent offense of tracking less than eight ounces of marijuana is a Class D felony. A Class D felony is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $1,000 to $10,000 fine. Trafficking more than eight ounces but less than five pounds of marijuana for the first time is a Class D felony. The second or subsequent offense is a Class C felony and carries a prison sentence of a minimum of five and a maximum of ten years and a $1,000 to $10,000 fine.
Trafficking five or more pounds of marijuana for the first time is a Class C felony. Offenses after the first one are Class B felonies. Class B felonies are punishable by a minimum ten years and a maximum of twenty years in prison and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000.
As you can see, the State of Kentucky sees drug trafficking as no laughing matter. The penalties could land you in prison, and away from your family, for several years or more. Fortunately, there are often defenses that could prevent you from being convicted of trafficking.
The criminal defense attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC have over 50 years of combined legal experience handling misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. This experience has enabled the attorneys to achieve the best possible results for their clients time and time again. Your case is important to you; therefore, it is important to us. We represent clients in Hardin County and surrounding counties from our offices in Radcliff and Elizabethtown and Louisville.
Contact us at (270) 351-6069 or 1-800-754-HELP to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You may also contact our office through our convenient online contact form. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss your legal options.