Source: http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/drug-charges/sale-controlled-substance-ohio
Timestamp: 2013-06-19 21:18:46
Document Index: 489776111

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3719', '§ 2925', '§ 2925', '§ 2925', '§ 2925', '§ 2925', '§ 2925', '§ 2925']

Ohio Sale of a Controlled Substance: Penalties for Selling Drugs | CriminalDefenseLawyer.com
Criminal Law > Criminal Charges > Drug Laws > Ohio Sale of a Controlled Substance Laws
Learn about the penalties for selling drugs in Ohio.
the penalties for sale. Ohio classifies not only well-known drugs like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine as CDS, but also the compounds used to manufacture them.
This article discusses the illegal manufacture and sale of CDS only. Illegally possessing CDS for personal use carries different penalties. For more information on possession of CDS for personal use, see Possession of Controlled Substances in Ohio.
Also, while marijuana is considered a CDS, this article does not cover Ohio’s marijuana possession and sale laws. To learn more about that topic, see Ohio Marijuana Laws.
How Ohio Classifies CDS
Ohio divides CDS into five “Schedules.” Schedule I lists the most dangerous drugs, which have a high probability of abuse and addiction, and no recognized medical value. Schedules II, III, IV, and V decrease in dangerousness and probability of abuse, and increase in recognized medical uses.
If you’ve been arrested for illegal CDS production or sales, you’ll need to consult the Ohio Code that lists precisely which drugs fit into each group. Go to the statute (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3719.41) and find the substance you're charged with selling -- it will be listed under one of the five classes.
Penalties for Selling CDS It is illegal in Ohio to make or sell CDS (or possess CDS with the intent to do these things). Penalties vary according to the type and amount of CDS involved in the violation, and are measured according to a
specified “bulk amount” assigned to each CDS. For example, the Schedule
III CDS ketamine (or “Special K”), has a bulk amount of 95 milliliters when its strength is 100 mg/ml. Other Schedule III CDS have different bulk amounts. Alternately, some CDS are measured in dose units, or in grams. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2925.11.)
Schedule I and II CDS
A defendant who made or sold a Schedule I or II CDS (excluding marijuana, heroin, cocaine, LSD, and other specified CDS) is guilty of aggravated trafficking in drugs. Penalties vary according to the amount made or sold. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2925.03(C)(1).)
Less than the bulk amount—felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18 months in prison, or
both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the third degree (a fine of up to $10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both).
The bulk amount or more, but less than five times the bulk amount—felony in the third degree (a fine of up to $10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both). However, if
the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the second degree (a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison, or both).
Five times the bulk amount or more, but less than 50 times the bulk amount—felony in the second degree (a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
50 times the bulk amount or more, but less than 100 times the bulk amount—felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, up to 11 years in prison, or both).
100 times the bulk amount, or more—felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, 11 years in prison, or both).
Schedule III, IV, and V CDS
A defendant who made or sold a Schedule III, IV, or V CDS is guilty of trafficking in drugs. Penalties vary according to the amount made or sold. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2925.03 (C)(2).)
Less than the bulk amount—felony in the fifth degree (a fine of up to $2,500, at least six and up to 12 months in jail, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18 months in prison, or both).
The bulk amount or more, but less than five times the bulk amount—felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six
months in jail and up to 18 months in prison, or both). However, if the
offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the third degree (a fine of up to $10,000, at
least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both).
Five times the bulk amount or more, but less than 50 times the bulk amount—felony in the third degree (a fine of up to $10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both). However, if
50 times the bulk amount or more—felony in the second degree (a fine
of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
Penalties vary according to the amount of cocaine made or sold. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2925.03(C)(4).)
Less than five grams—felony in the fifth degree (a fine of up to $2,500, at least six and up to 12 months in jail, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18 months in prison, or both).
Five grams or more, but less than ten grams—felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18
months in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a
school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the third degree (a fine of up to $10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both).
Ten grams or more, but less than 20 grams—felony in the third degree
(a fine of up to $10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a
school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the second degree (a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight
years in prison, or both).
20 grams or more, but less than 27 grams—felony in the second degree
(a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison,
or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
27 grams or more, but less than 100 grams—felony in the first degree
(a fine of up to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
100 grams or more—felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, 11 years in prison, or both).
Penalties vary according to the amount of LSD made or sold. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2925.03(C)(5).)
Fewer than ten unit doses—felony in the fifth degree (a fine of up to $2,500, at least six and up to 12 months in jail, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18 months in prison, or both).
Ten doses or more, but fewer than 50 doses—felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18
50 doses or more, but fewer than 250 doses—felony in the third degree (a fine of up to $10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony
in the second degree (a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison, or both).
250 doses or more, but fewer than 1,000 doses—felony in the second degree (a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
1,000 doses or more, but fewer than 5,000 doses—felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
5,000 doses or more—felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, 11 years in prison, or both).
Penalties vary according to the amount of heroin made or sold. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2925.03(C)(6).)
Fewer than ten unit doses; or less than one gram—felony in the fifth
degree (a fine of up to $2,500, at least six and up to 12 months in jail, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18
months in prison, or both).
Ten doses or more, but fewer than 50 doses; or one gram or more, but
not more than five grams—felony in the fourth degree (a fine of up to $5,000, at least six months in jail and up to 18 months in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the third degree (a fine of up to $10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or both).
50 doses or more, but fewer than 100 doses; or five grams or more, but not more than ten grams —felony in the third degree (a fine of up to
$10,000, at least nine months in jail and up to 36 months in prison, or
both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the second degree (a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison, or both).
100 doses or more, but fewer than 500 doses; or ten or more grams, but less than 50 grams—felony in the second degree (a fine of up to $15,000, at least two and up to eight years in prison, or both). However, if the offense was committed near a school, or in the vicinity of a juvenile, the offense is a felony in the first degree (a fine of up
to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
500 doses or more, but fewer than 2,500 doses; or 50 or more grams, but less than 250 grams—felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, at least three and up to 11 years in prison, or both).
2,500 doses or more; or 250 grams or more—felony in the first degree (a fine of up to $20,000, 11 years in prison, or both).
In addition to the penalties described above, the judge will suspend the defendant’s driver’s license for at least six months (and up to five
years). (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2925.03(D)(2).)
CDS manufacture or sale convictions can incur harsh fines and long periods of incarceration. A local lawyer who practices CDS defense will review the facts of your case, explain your options, and advise you of the possible consequences. by: Monica Steiner, Contributing Author