Drug Crimes

A misdemeanor drug charge can carry fines, a license suspension, and a permanent conviction on your record. Even charges that seem minor can have real effects on employment, housing, and professional licensing.

What this page covers

Misdemeanor drug possession, marijuana charges, and drug paraphernalia in Mississippi — the penalties and how these cases are approached.

What's at stake

Simple possession of marijuana (30 grams or less on a first offense) is a misdemeanor in Mississippi. Penalties include a fine of up to $250, a 90-day license suspension, and a conviction that goes on your record. Paraphernalia charges often accompany possession charges and can compound the result.

A second simple possession conviction escalates the penalties significantly and can result in jail time. A misdemeanor conviction today also affects your options if you face more serious charges later.

Possession of prescription medication without a valid prescription can be a misdemeanor at lower quantities and a felony at higher quantities or for more serious controlled substances. If you are uncertain which charge applies to your situation, that is worth discussing before any decisions are made.

How Kerry approaches these cases

Most drug cases turn on how the evidence was obtained. That analysis comes first:

The stop or search: Law enforcement must have a legal basis for a traffic stop, and any search must be authorized — by consent, warrant, or a legally recognized exception. A search that exceeds those limits raises suppression questions.

Lab testing: The substance must be chemically tested and identified. The lab's procedures, the chain of custody from seizure to testing, and whether proper protocols were followed all matter. Field identification by smell or appearance is not the same as tested evidence.

Diversion and first-offender options: For first-time offenders, programs may be available that allow a clean outcome without a permanent conviction. Whether that applies depends on the specific charge and your history.

Talk to Kerry first

Call 662-205-0008 or contact the firm for a free consultation. Payment plans are available.