Possession of LSD: Defense and Impact of Conviction

LSD is short for the German chemical name Lysergsäure-diethylamid. LSD is also known as Lysergic acid diethylamide, or ‘acid,’ a psychedelic recreational liquid drug usually ingested by mouth via a porous medium. LSD can be possessed as a liquid, on stamps, sugar cubes, mints, paper, or other porous material. In the U.S.

LSD is categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance, or an abusive recreational drug without any known medical benefit. LSD is a prohibited substance. Criminal possession of LSD constitutes any possession of this prohibited substance, including possession relating to personal use, criminal distribution of the drug, or continuing a criminal enterprise deriving revenue from the sale of LSD. Possession of LSD under 10 mg can be considered personal use, while over 10 mg would be considered as possession with intent to derive revenue from its sale.

Potential Penalties and Sentences for LSD Related Drug Offenses

The federal penalties for a first time possession of LSD without an intent to derive revenue is a maximum sentence of 1 year in prison and a monetary fine of $1,000. If you are in possession of up to 10 mg LSD and have either made LSD or intended to sell or traffic LSD, even as a first offense, a federal court will sentence you five to 40 years in prison and a monetary fine up to $2 million.  Possession of over 10 mg LSD with intent to sell can result in a life sentence. The impact of a conviction will hold possible civil penalties and definite negative future impact on employment, housing, etc.

Impact of LSD Possession Conviction

A conviction on possession of LSD may result in the inability to work in certain fields. For example, a drug conviction can disqualify you from ever working in the health care field in almost any role. A conviction on possession of LSD may also impact employment in many other careers, particularly jobs that require a background check or a security clearance. A background check may also be necessary if you are seeking to rent an apartment or purchase a home. A conviction may result in being turned down. Conviction on possession of LSD can have a significant impact on immigration status, and may result in deportation of a non-U.S. citizen.

Legal Strategies for Defending LSD Related Drug Charges

Given the significant impact of being accused of possession of LSD, consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential at the earliest possible stage so that all defenses can be discovered and all evidence can be disputed.

In recent years law enforcement has focused on halting the manufacturing and possession of illegal drugs.  The police will often facilitate the capture of those allegedly in possession of LSD by resorting to illegal search and illegal seizure of property, i.e. without a proper search warrant. A criminal defense attorney can protect and defend your constitutional rights against illegal search and seizure of property.

Criminal defense attorneys are also dedicated to questioning authorities’ methods of measuring LSD amounts – i.e. disputing the popular method of including the weight of porous medium (i.e. paper, etc.) when calculating the amount of LSD allegedly in possession. Recall that the penalties for conviction of possession of LSD are correlated to the amount of LSD in possession.

Getting Legal Help

Aggressive criminal defense attorneys will protect your personal rights against alleged possession of LSD, during investigation or prosecution. Criminal defense attorneys will work relentlessly to defend your constitutional rights. They will guarantee that the investigation, your arrest, and your case against possession of LSD are managed according to state and federal laws.