What Are the Penalties for Drug Abuse and Possession in the United States?
If an individual is caught with possession of illegal drugs, they can face potential fines as well as jail time. The length of jail time differs according to the state in which the offense occurs and the previous criminal record of the individual. Most states in the U.S. now have a mandatory minimum sentence for drug possession that cannot be plea bargained away. The average amount of jail time awarded in a drug possession case in the United States is between 30 and 40 months.
In addition, individuals in the U.S. could face steep fines for possession of drugs. Some judges may require that the individual commit a large number of hours to community service as a type of penance for their crime.