In Nebraska, a class 4 felony is one step above a misdemeanor.
However, a class 4 felony can lead to prison and a lifetime loss of rights.
Moreover, a class 4 felony conviction will carry the stigma and loss of rights associated with being a felon.
Omaha attorney Tom Petersen is an experienced class 4 drug lawyer.
If you face class 4 felony charges, Tom and his team can help.
To get started, contact the Nebraska criminal defense lawyers at Petersen Criminal Law Defense today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is a Class 4 Drug?
Generally, a class 4 drug has a low potential for abuse and dependence. Nevertheless, possession or sale of a class 4 drug without a prescription can lead to a class 4 felony.
These are some examples of a class 4 drug:
- Ativan,
- Barbiturates,
- Benzos,
- Sedatives,
- Soma,
- Tranquilizers,
- Valium,
- Versed, and
- Xanax.
While these low-risk drugs may seem harmless, you need to know that some class 4 drug convictions end with severe punishments.
What Is a Class 4 Felony?
Charges for a drug-related Class IV felony in Nebraska can include:
- Obtaining prescription drugs by theft or fraud,
- Possession of more than one pound of marijuana,
- Possession of materials and substances with the intent to make meth,
- Allowing a child to ingest methamphetamine (second offense),
- Selling or distributing substances that look like a class 4 drug.
Furthermore, you need to know that a police officer can seize a class 4 drug without a warrant—including prescription drugs that do not appear to be yours.
Schedule 4 Drugs Punishment
In Nebraska, class 4 felony convictions carry severe consequences.
For example, schedule 4 drugs punishment can include a two-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine.
Also, a court can order you to serve 12 months of post-release supervision (probation).
During class 4 felony probation, the court can order you to:
- Get a job,
- Go to treatment (medical, psychiatric, drug abuse),
- Live in a halfway house,
- Refrain from seeing certain people (friends and family included),
- Remain in Nebraska,
- Pay for tests that can detect a class 4 drug,
- Report weekly to probation,
- Allow probation officers to visit your home,
- Perform community service, and
- Submit and pay for ankle bracelet monitoring.
Moreover, even after you serve your time and complete probation, the consequences of a Class IV Felony in Nebraska do not end.
Collateral Consequences for a Class 4 Felony Drug Possession in Nebraska
A class 4 felony conviction carries a stigma well after serving your time. First, you will lose the right to vote for two years.
Second, the federal government will bar you from owning and possessing guns.
Third, the court will disqualify you from serving on a jury.
Moreover, you will have difficulty finding a job after a class 4 felony conviction. Specifically, employers can ask if you are convicted of a class 4 felony in Nebraska.
Also, for a class 4 drug conviction, the federal government can disqualify you from military service.
Likewise, if a jury convicts you of a class IV felony, the State can bar you from public service employment (police officer, teacher, EMT).
Should You Hire a Nebraska Drug Crimes Lawyer?
Charges for class 4 felony drug possession in Nebraska can bring shock or despair. However, we understand what you are going through.
Omaha attorney Tom Petersen dedicates himself to aggressively defending your rights.
Call us today or contact us online. All matters are confidential.
Attorney Petersen was invited to join the National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD) organization in 2013. NAFDD vets thousands of lawyers and only chooses those who have achieved stellar results in DUI defense cases. Attorney Petersen was named one of the Top 50 defense attorneys in Nebraska out of more than 5,000.
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