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Arkansas Drug Possession Law

Arkansas Drug Possession Defense

What you're facing under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-64-419, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Arkansas (AR) law.

Offense Class

Class D Felony (Schedule I/II); Class A Misdemeanor (Schedule III-VI)

Maximum Penalty

6 years (Class D Felony); 1 year (Class A Misdemeanor)

Maximum Fine

$10,000 (Class D); $2,500 (Class A Misdemeanor)

Penalty Range in Arkansas

StatuteArk. Code Ann. § 5-64-419 — Possession of a Controlled Substance
Minimum Penalty
Maximum Penalty6 years (Class D Felony); 1 year (Class A Misdemeanor)
Maximum Fine$10,000 (Class D); $2,500 (Class A Misdemeanor)

Charge Enhancements

These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Arkansas:

  • Possession near a school or park (§ 5-64-411)
  • Prior drug convictions

Arkansas-Specific Detail

Arkansas reclassified simple possession in 2011. Schedule I/II substances are Class D Felony. Schedule III-VI are Class A Misdemeanor. Drug court diversion available for eligible defendants.

Is your Arkansas drug case defense on track?

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Drug Possession Defense Playbook$127

26 questions that change how the next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download, relevant to Arkansas defendants.

Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Arkansas drug possession law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.