CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE RULE:
Knowingly and unlawfully possessing any type of drug whose possession and use is regulated by law, including a narcotic, stimulant or hallucinate. 

• 5th Degree:  CLASS D Felony; possessing cocaine weighing greater than or equal to 500 milligrams
• 3rd Degree: CLASS B Felony; possessing a narcotic with the intent to sell

All punishments are more severe if you have had one or more previous conviction. 

Ol’ Dirty Bastard, known as Russell Jones to his family and friends, lived a tumultuous life with ongoing run-ins with the law.  However, what ultimately sent him to prison was his addiction to drugs and alcohol.  In March of 1999 he was charged with possession of a narcotic with the intent to sell, criminal possession in the fifth and 3rd degree, and unlawful possession of marijuana as well as several other driving offenses.  Shortly after, a court where he had unrelated charges sentenced him to three years of probation.  The court mandated that he remain at a rehab center until further review.  ODB violated probation by leaving the center.  The court was then forced to re-evaluate the situation and sent him back to the rehab center, hoping for better results.  He left again without permission.  The judge on the case issued a warrant, leaving him with warrants in New York, California and Virginia.  When ODB was finally caught and arrested in New York in 2001, he was arraigned on the 1999 drug possession charges.  He eventually plead guilty and was sentenced to 2-4 years in prison with credit for 10 months already served.  Before being sent behind bars, the troubled ODB attempted suicide.  Even after serving 2.5 years, he was released an unchanged man.  Several months later, ODB collapsed in a recording studio and died.  He was found to have a double plastic bag of cocaine in his stomach and lethal amounts of Cocaine and Tramadol were found in his system. 

For a person so talented and successful in music, coupled with close family and friends, it seems that the only thing that could end his addiction was the conclusion of his disturbed life. 

TAKE AWAY:
Don’t involve yourself with drugs and you will never have to face the consequences of possession – fines, prison time, probation, and the permanent label of being a convicted felon.  Don’t use drugs and you will not have to experience the devastatingly adverse effects on your body and mind. 

Many of the decisions that ODB made were no doubt motivated and influenced by his drug use.  So, don’t do drugs, make smart, informed decisions, and enjoy the life you were blessed with.

What are your thoughts on the punishment the court gave him?  Do you think time behind bars was the best choice?  Or would ODB have had better chances if he was sent to a mental hospital to evaluate his apparent mental instability?