“I never thought this would happen to me.”
That is usually the first thing I hear when someone walks into my office facing a drug charge—even more so when a mom/dad/spouse walks into my office in support of a loved one facing a drug charge. Most people who get arrested for drug charges aren’t hardened or professional criminals. They’re regular folks, working hard, trying to make ends meet, dealing with pain, addiction, or just in the wrong place at the wrong time, or going through an experimental period in their lives. We run across so many people who start experimenting with drugs on a recreational basis and then it gets out of control.
Unfortunately, Americans are large consumers of illegal drugs. In this I am including prescription drugs that are obtained unlawfully as well as drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, etc. It surprises us that people caught with drugs typically do not know or understand the extent of the hard penalties that can be imposed upon them. A drug conviction can put everything on the line. Their job. Their reputation. Their freedom. Their future. And the collateral convictions can follow a person for a lifetime, if not expunged. (Note: Not all convictions can be expunged, and a person is only entitled to one felony expungement).
Mississippi doesn’t make it easy to come back from a drug charge, especially if it involves methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and synthetic marijuana.
In Mississippi, Any Amount of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance is a Felony
People are shocked to learn this. Methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, crack, are examples of Schedule I and II controlled substances.
Even if police find just a trace of meth residue in a baggie or on a pipe—something that can’t even be weighed—they can and will charge you with a felony under Mississippi law.
There was a bill introduced recently that would’ve changed that, reducing small personal use amounts of methamphetamine to a misdemeanor.
It didn’t pass.
So right now, any amount of methamphetamine if you transfer, sell, or give it to someone, no matter how small, is a felony in Mississippi. That means jail or prison time, thousands in fines, a permanent criminal record, and all the long-term damage that comes with a conviction, such as losing your job, your housing, your right to own a gun. It’s a label that sticks. Possession of under .01 grams of a schedule I or II controlled substance is a misdemeanor, but any amount over .01 gram is a felony.
But Here’s the Truth Most People Don’t Hear: You Still Have Options
Yes, meth, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and other “hard” drugs results in charges that are serious. But they’re not hopeless.
No case is hopeless if you have an experienced advocate on your side.
Our attorneys have helped clients across Mississippi who were facing felony meth or other Schedule I or II charges—and we’ve been able to successfully have the charges dismissed or negotiate the charges down to misdemeanors. How? Because no two cases are the same. And that’s what most people miss.
The facts matter:
- Was the search LEGAL?
- Was the meth/drug even YOURS?
- Can the prosecution you had control of the drugs? Or You knew that it was in the car or house?
- Were your RIGHTS violated during the arrest or prior to?
- Is this your FIRST OFFENSE?
- Are you struggling with ADDICTION and OPEN TO TREATMENT?
A good defense attorney will dig into all of that—because that’s where leverage lives.
Why Reducing a Felony to a Misdemeanor Changes Everything:
Some people ask, “What difference does it make? I’m still getting punished, right?”
Avoiding a felony conviction can help preserve your future. Federal housing benefits can be lost with drug convictions. Social Security or disability payments will stop during incarceration. Many employers will not hire a person with a drug conviction, and you will lose your right to possess a gun or ammunition.
Here’s the difference:
✅ Misdemeanors often mean no prison time
✅ You avoid the long-term weight of a felony record
✅ You have a better shot at keeping your job
✅ A misdemeanor can often be expunged quicker from your record
✅ You get to keep your future intact because misdemeanors are minor offenses.
It’s the difference between hitting a rough patch in life—and being permanently held back by it.
Don’t Talk Yourself Into a Corner
One of the worst things you can do after being arrested is trying to talk your way out of it. I know it’s tempting—you’re scared, you think if you just explain yourself, it’ll all go away.
It won’t.
Police and prosecutors are not on your side. They’re building a case against you, and anything you say can and will be used to help them do it.
Here’s what you should do instead:
- Stay calm.
- Say you want a lawyer and nothing else.
- Don’t consent to any search without a warrant.
- Call an attorney who knows how Mississippi drug laws really work.
Real People. Real Second Chances.
The attorneys at Coxwell & Associates, PLLC, have helped people who thought their lives were over. A single mom arrested with meth or drugs in the car after giving a friend a ride. A college student caught up in a bad crowd. A factory worker struggling with painkillers after a back injury got hit with a felony drug charge after police found a pipe in his truck.
All of them thought they were done. But they weren’t.
And you’re not either.
What to Expect If You Call Coxwell & Associates, PLLC:
If you’re facing a drug charge, we understand you’re scared. We won’t judge you. Instead, we will listen. We will explain your rights, your options, and what we can do together to fight for your future.
We’ll look at every detail of your case. We will deal with the prosecutors, the evidence, the courts—so you don’t have to do this alone. And if there's any way to reduce your charges, get the case dismissed, or avoid jail time altogether, we will find it.
Don’t Let One Mistake Define the Rest of Your Life
If you've been charged with meth possession—or any drug crime—in Mississippi, time is critical. The sooner we start building your defense, the better chance we have of protecting your freedom and your future.
📞 Call today for a confidential consultation.
Let’s talk about what happened, and let’s take that first step toward putting this behind you.
Need help fast? Contact Coxwell & Associates, PLLC – Mississippi Drug Crime Defense
✅ Complete our online form HERE, or
✅ Email Courtney Sanders (courtneys@coxwelllaw.com), or
⭐ Judgment-free. Confidential. Experienced. ⭐
Helpful Resources:
- Mississippi Drug Laws Overview
- What Happens After a Drug Arrest?
- How to Expunge a Drug Charge in Mississippi
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Client FAQs
Q: Can a Schedule I or II controlled substance like meth, cocaine, MDMA, or heroin be reduced to a misdemeanor?
A: Yes. While meth is classified as a felony in Mississippi, we have successfully defended cases leading to “Not Guilty” verdicts and dismissals, and negotiated misdemeanor outcomes for eligible clients, especially first-time offenders.
Q: Will I go to jail for a first-time drug offense?
A: Not necessarily. Outcomes depend on the facts of your case. Many clients qualify for diversion programs, probation, or charge reductions.
Q: Should I talk to the police before getting a lawyer?
A: No. Always ask for an attorney and remain silent until you’ve received legal advice.
Q: How soon should I contact a lawyer after being charged?
A: Immediately. The earlier we start, the better chance we must build a strong defense.
Q: What if it wasn’t my drugs?
A: You still need a lawyer. Ownership isn’t always clear-cut, and there are strong defenses we can raise.