3 Common Types of Drug Charges in Australia

Today’s topic is: Australia drug laws. So, if that is what you are looking for, you have reached the right place.

Australia has extremely strong drug regulations, and you might face severe consequences if the authorities find you in possession of illegal narcotics.

In Australia, thousands of people face charges of drug offenses each year. In 2023 alone, law enforcement arrested more than 100,000 people nationwide for drug-related offenses.

The majority of these included drug possession, although several involved drug trafficking or supply. It’s critical to comprehend these laws if you now reside in Australia or intend to travel there.

Drug possession for personal use, even in tiny amounts, can result in penalties or possibly jail time.

If police find you driving under the influence of drugs (DUI), you risk losing your license, paying a hefty fine, or possibly going to jail.

Whether you’re carrying drugs or unknowingly involved in a drug-related crime, the penalties can be severe. Understanding Australia’s drug laws can help you stay safe and avoid legal trouble.

So, keep reading this blog till the end…

Australia Drug Laws: What You Need to Know About Drug Charges in Australia

In Australia, it is illegal to be carrying drugs. That does not imply, however, that everyone who is found in possession of drugs receives the same sentence.

The circumstances surrounding the drug finding will significantly impact the severity of the punishment or penalty imposed on the individual.

What drug, for instance, were they carrying? Did they sell it, use it for their purposes, or encourage a child to use it? 

Each of these elements influences the charge’s outcomes. The accused may also retain the services of a drug offense attorney, who can lessen the seriousness of their accusations based on the case’s specifics.

Another thing you need to understand about drug offences in Australia is that the charges and penalties may different from state to state. However, there are some common drug charges between each state.  

What are the Different Drug Charges in Australia?

While it is true that there can be serious repercussions that you might have to face according to the drug laws in Australia, you must know about the type of crime or your level of offense.

The consequences of your crime will differ based on the crime level. Here is a quick guide to drug charges in Australia that you should be aware of:

First-time Offenders

Usually, when the police catch you as a first-time offender with a small amount of heroin or cannabis, you would be let off with a warning.

This is what they call your “first offense.” However, this is the police informant’s decision to make.

Sometimes, they might let you off with a warning granted if you agree to attend counseling. If you breach this agreement, you might be charged with an offense later. 

Possession

As you can understand already, possession is the most common drug offense in Australia. Possession simply means that the police have caught you with drugs on a property.

This could be heroin, cannabis, or other drugs that are considered illegal. The property also includes your vehicle as well. 

Supplying

Law enforcement deals with the suppliers more harshly than you can imagine. For instance, if they catch you supplying small drugs, they will try your case in the Local Court.

There are different types of charges brought about in various situations. Some of these include:

• Supplying to Minors: In situations where police catch you supplying drugs to an individual under the age of 16, the above charges will increase, and it will become more severe. 
• Trafficable Quantity: When police catch people with more than what’s deemed a small quantity, they can charge you with a supply charge, even if no evidence points to you supplying others.
• Less Than Commercial Quantity: When you have less than a commercial quantity of drugs, the District Court has to deal with the charge. In some states, if the drug is not a cannabis plant or leaf, the maximum fine could be $220,000, 15 years in prison, or both. Should the drug be cannabis, the fine remains the same, but the prison sentence goes down to 10 years. 
• More Than Commercial Quantity: Should you be caught with more than what’s considered the commercial quantity, your penalties for cannabis could be $385,000 and 15 years of prison time. Consider a case where police catch you with heroin or another illegal drug above the commercial quantity. In some states, your fine could be $550,000, with a prison sentence of up to 20 years. 
• Large Commercial Quantities: For individuals who are caught with excessive amounts of drugs considered to be way over the commercial quantity, the penalties are considered more severe. In certain states, if police catch you with cannabis, you’ll have to pay $550,000 and spend 20 years in prison. Should it be another illegal drug, you may face charges of $550,000 and/or life in prison. 

Need to Hire a Lawyer For a Drug Offense?

It might be frightening and stressful to face charges of DUI or possession, especially if you’ve never been in trouble before.

In cases like this, you must contact an attorney for a drug offense. If you’re unsure where to go, consider Brisbane’s Donnelly Law.

You can get help with drug offense charges and possibly be given more lenient charges because you are professional in the field.

In conclusion, the Australian government takes drug offenses rather seriously. Ideally, it is best that you avoid medications as much as possible.

However, you should get legal counsel as soon as possible if you ever face charges of drug possession or supply. Your chances of getting a lesser sentence will rise as a result.

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