The thought of being charged with a drug crime can understandably be a scary one. If you are a Nebraska resident who faces such a charge either for the first time or a subsequent time, you will want to understand more about how the state classifies these charges as you navigate your way through the criminal defense process. The Nebraska Legislature explains that drug crimes can involve substances that are considered to be controlled as well as substances that are essentially fraudulent or counterfeit.
Several acts can lead to a drug crime charge such as manufacturing, delivering, dispensing and creation of substances. Possession of a drug by a person intending to somehow distribute can also lead to a criminal charge. The exact drug involved can have a direct impact on what type of charge is ultimately received.
Many drug crimes in Nebraska are treated as felonies. However, crimes involving pot are classified as Class III misdemeanors if the amount of marijuana involved is between one and 16 ounces. Amounts over that may be treated as Class IV felonies. As with pot, the amount of other drugs will impact a charge. For cocaine, amphetamines, heroin or crack, Class ID felonies pertain to amounts between 10 and 27 grams. Class IC felonies involve amounts between 28 and 139 grams. The involvement of 140 or more grams may raise a charge to a Class IB felony.
If you would like to learn more about drug crimes and related charges, please feel free to visit the substance defense page of our Nebraska criminal defense website.