§ 844a — Civil Penalty For Possession Of Small Amounts Of Certain Controlled Substances

(a) Any individual who knowingly possesses a controlled substance that is listed in section 841(b)(1)(A) of this title in violation of section 844 of this title in an amount that, as specified by regulation of the Attorney General, is a personal use amount shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each such violation. (b) The income and net assets of an individual shall not be relevant to the determination whether to assess a civil penalty under this section or to prosecute the individual criminally. However, in determining the amount of a penalty under this section, the income and net assets of an individual shall be considered. (c) A civil penalty may not be assessed under this section if the individual previously was convicted of a Federal or State offense relating to a controlled substance. (d) A civil penalty may not be assessed on an individual under this section on more than two separate occasions. (e) A civil penalty under this section may be assessed by the Attorney General only by an order made on the record after opportunity for a hearing in accordance with section 554 of title 5. The Attorney General shall provide written notice to the individual who is the subject of the proposed order informing the individual of the opportunity to receive such a hearing with respect to the proposed order. The hearing may be held only if the individual makes a request for the hearing before the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the date such notice is issued. (f) The Attorney General may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil penalty imposed under this section. (g) If the Attorney General issues an order pursuant to subsection (e) after a hearing described in such subsection, the individual who is the subject of the order may, before the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the date the order is issued, bring a civil action in the appropriate district court of the United States. In such action, the law and the facts of the violation and the assessment of the civil penalty shall be determined de novo, and shall include the right of a trial by jury, the right to counsel, and the right to confront witnesses. The facts of the violation shall be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. (h) If an individual does not request a hearing pursuant to subsection (e) and the Attorney General issues an order pursuant to such subsection, or if an individual does not under subsection (g) seek judicial review of such an order, the Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate district court of the United States for the purpose of recovering the amount assessed and an amount representing interest at a rate computed in accordance with section 1961 of title 28. Such interest shall accrue from the expiration of the 30-day period described in subsection (g). In such an action, the decision of the Attorney General to issue the order, and the amount of the penalty assessed by the Attorney General, shall not be subject to review. (i) commence proceeding against an individual after the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the individual allegedly violated subsection (a). (j) The Attorney General shall dismiss the proceedings under this section against an individual upon application of such individual at any time after the expiration of 3 years if— (1) the individual has not previously been assessed a civil penalty under this section; (2) the individual has paid the assessment; (3) the individual has complied with any conditions imposed by the Attorney General; (4) the individual has not been convicted of a Federal or State offense relating to a controlled substance; and (5) the individual agrees to submit to a drug test, and such test shows the individual to be drug free.