Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

What crime can a 25-year-old be charged with for selling cocaine to his 15-year-old cousin?

1. Possession of drugs

2. Distribution of drugs to minors

3. Trafficking in controlled substances

4. Unauthorized sale of narcotics

The correct answer is: Distribution of drugs to minors

The answer is focused on the specific nature of the crime committed, which is the distribution of drugs to a minor. In many jurisdictions, laws impose harsher penalties on individuals who sell or distribute controlled substances, such as cocaine, to individuals under the legal age for consumption. This reflects the legal system's recognition of the heightened dangers posed when drugs are involved with minors, who may not have the same capacity for informed decision-making as adults. Distribution of drugs to minors typically encompasses both the action of selling and the age of the recipient, which in this case is a 15-year-old. This particular crime highlights the underlying intent of the law—to protect vulnerable populations, especially youth, from the potential harms of drug abuse. While possession of drugs might be applicable to the drug seller if he were found in possession of cocaine, the act of selling brings in the specific distribution charge, especially since it involves a minor. Trafficking usually refers to more significant quantities and is often a separate context of drug offenses. Unauthorized sale of narcotics might also apply, but the most precise characterization of this scenario is the distribution to a minor due to the age difference and the implications of such an act.