Possession of a Controlled Substance Water Street office (Milwaukee's lower east side)

The penalties for these criminal charges are going to depend on what drug it is, how much of it you have, and whether you are simply possessing it or dealing it to other people. For example, possession of marijuana in some places is even decriminalized, but can also be a forfeiture or misdemeanor with maximum penalties of a $1000 fine, 6 months in jail, or both. If you also possess paraphernalia, that comes with similar penalties, plus the possibility of a driver’s license suspension. Second and subsequent possession offenses are Class I felonies carrying maximum penalties of 3.5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

First-time possession of most controlled substances such as cocaine are misdemeanor with a fine up to $5000, one year in jail, or both. However, other serious drugs that fall under Schedule I or II, such as heroin, are a Class I felony for even your first offense possession. A class I felony carries penalties of 3.5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Possession with the intent to deliver any controlled substances begins at a low-level felony. Depending on the type of drug and how much of it you have, you can be charged anywhere from a Class I felony to a Class C felony. Class C felonies carry a maximum of 40 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. There is a range of penalties depending on how much a drug you possess. For example, 1000 grams of marijuana has more severe penalties than 200 grams of marijuana.

Controlled Substances in Milwaukee

Controlled substances are more colloquially known to most people as drugs. Drugs are obviously separated into different categories depending on the effect they have on the human body. Most controlled substances known to humans are classified into various categories; the United States classifies them into five. These categories are known as schedules. 

The Uniform Controlled Substances Act was written in order to create control over the drugs in our country. They are as follows:

• Schedule I: these controlled substances are considered to be highly addictive substances, are at high risk of being abused by users, and do not serve any medical purpose. Drugs in this category include heroin, ecstasy, LSD, along with many others.
• Schedule II: these controlled substances come with a high risk of abuse but also could serve to help someone medically. Types of drugs in this category include amphetamines, Oxycontin, Adderall, among others.
• Schedule III: these include drugs such as anabolic steroids, Tylenol with codeine, testosterone, ketamine, along with others.
• Schedule IV: these include things like Ambien, Valium, Xanax, in addition to others
• Schedule V: these are drugs such as cough syrups or things like Lyrica

The drugs listed above are certainly not all-inclusive. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different controlled substances and they all fall into one of these categories. With the exception of Schedule I, you can come by controlled substances legally with a valid prescription. However, if you find yourself in possession of one of these Schedule I drugs or something else without a valid prescription, you can be facing criminal charges.