This charge is "Simple" only in the sense that it is not the more complicated, "Possession with intent to distribute". Simple possession is possession for your own personal use as opposed to "Possession with intent to distribute" or "Distribution". Generally this means someone is charged with possessing less than 28 grams or one ounce. This is probably the most common drug charge in South Carolina, and while it is generally only punished by a fine, it can have extreme collateral consequences. That means that even though you think you are only paying a fine because of this charge, by paying the fine, horrible things can happen to you. Your driver's license is automatically suspended. You may lose or be ineligible for federal and state benefits, including medicare, medicaid, food stamps, welfare, disability, housing, and student loans. You could lose your job. The drug statutes are extremely complex. You need someone experienced in this type of law to help you.

If you are ever prosecuted for another drug offense it can be used to enhance the penalty on any future offenses. That means if you are riding in the car with someone who has put drugs under your seat without your knowledge, the police or a prosecutor might threaten you with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5, 10 or even 25 years in prison in order to force you to plead guilty to the crime.

You must have an experienced criminal lawyer represent you if you are charged with any drug crime and even in a simple possession of marijuana charge. There are several ways to fight these charges or to lessen the damage they can inflict, but without an experienced criminal lawyer that knows how to get the best results for you, you can be in serious trouble.