Arrested for Drug Possession in Mississippi?

What Is Considered Possession, Sale, Distribution, and Intent to Distribute Unlawful Drugs?

There are two types of possession in Mississippi: actual possession and constructive possession.

Actual possession is when a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia is found on someone’s person. Constructive possession is when a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia is found nearby someone, such as in their car or backpack.

In order for someone to be charged with constructive possession, it must be shown that they exercised some dominion or control over the area in which the drugs or paraphernalia were located. The sale of unlawful drugs occurs when someone sells under a certain amount of an unlawful drug, whereas distribution is when someone sells a much higher quantity of an unlawful drug.

What is the General Timeline of A Drug-Related Case In Mississippi?

The timeline of a drug-related case in Mississippi will depend on whether it deals with a misdemeanor or felony and in what county or municipality an individual was charged. In most misdemeanor drug-related cases, it will take between three and six months from the date of being charged to the date of the trial.

Felony cases can take anywhere from five months to one year. Certain locations have much slower turnaround times, such as Hinds County, which is the largest county in the state of Mississippi.