Drug Crimes are a subset of criminal law and sometimes overlap with constitutional and civil law. Drug crimes generally involve using, manufacturing, selling, and distributing an illegal controlled substance.
This field includes the legal definition, enforcement, and defense of illegal possession of a controlled substance, whether it is a so-called "street drug" or a controlled substance subject to federal or state laws.
Although drug charges are usually classified as felonies, the severity of the sentence and duration of punishment will often depend on the type of drug involved and whether it's classified under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. For example, fluoxetine is a non-narcotic pharmaceutical, but it's included in the Controlled Drug Act because it's been misused recreationally in Florida. This means trafficking in fluoxetine is a felony punishable by a maximum punishment of 30 years.
A relatively new approach to the criminal justice system in America is the creation of drug courts, which can be considered a sentencing option for non-violent, first-time offenders and those convicted of lesser offenses. These drug courts offer various services besides sentencing, including treatment, counseling, and other necessary services.
