Mississippi classifies cocaine as a Schedule II drug. It’s highly addictive and its use can lead to other types of criminal behavior. The legal consequences are often harsh as well.
Incarceration
How long your jail or prison sentence depends on how much cocaine was in your possession. Other factors of your case influence your sentence too, such as whether you committed another crime, harmed another person, involved minors in drug use or trafficked drugs. Possession of under 0.1 grams of cocaine for personal use is a misdemeanor in Mississippi. You won’t face more than a year in jail.
Possessing 0.1–2 grams of cocaine is a felony. Your incarceration time would be up to three years in prison. The maximum sentence for 2–10 grams is eight years, and for 10–30 grams is up to 20 years. If you possess over 30 grams, then Mississippi considers this drug trafficking, which comes with more serious penalties.
Fine
Drug charges for under 0.1 grams of cocaine could come with a fine of up to $1,000. The maximum fine is 50 times more for possession of 0.1–2 grams. You could face a fine of up to $250,000 for possessing 2–10 grams and up to $500,000 for 10–30 grams.
Involvement in drug sales
If you participate in the selling of cocaine whether directly or as an investor, you could face up to five years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Financing the selling of cocaine is also illegal, even if you didn’t consider yourself an investor.
Trafficking
Cocaine trafficking could result in life in prison without parole or suspension and a fine of $5,000–$1,000,000. Mississippi has a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years for this drug charge. Many people are mistaken about what trafficking is. Mississippi considers three cocaine selling charges within a 12-month period as trafficking. Having 30+ grams of cocaine is also a trafficking offense.
Reducing your sentence
It’s possible to get a lighter sentence if you are facing a drug trafficking charge. You would have to become an informant for law enforcement to help them take down the drug ring.
Possessing and selling cocaine are serious offenses in Mississippi. It’s possible to receive a life sentence in the worst-case scenario, although this type of sentence is usually only for major traffickers.
