What is the potential sentence for a first offense under 21 USC § 844?

Under 21 USC § 844, the statute addresses the possession of controlled substances, and a first offense typically results in it being classified as a misdemeanor. This means that the individual would be subject to less severe penalties compared to a felony conviction, often carrying a maximum imprisonment of one year, fines, or both. Misdemeanors generally allow for more lenient consequences and reflect the law's view of first-time offenders as less culpable compared to repeat offenders.

The other choices reflect more severe or different types of consequences. A felony would involve more severe sentencing and lifetime implications, probation is often a condition rather than a type of offense designation, and a civil penalty does not apply here since the crime discussed is rooted in criminal law. Thus, the classification of the offense as a misdemeanor for a first violation aligns with the legal framework outlined by the statute.