Minnesota Drug Offense Lawyer

Effective Legal Representation for Clients throughout Anoka & Minneapolis

Strict laws in Minnesota govern all illegal drugs and activities related to them. Enforcement of these laws can result in severe and life-changing penalties. These laws put crimes involving controlled substances into five categories, based on the severity of the crime. The categories involve various drug crime offenses, from possession to sales, distribution, and trafficking. Controlled substances in the state are also classified into Schedules, based on their addictiveness and potential for abuse.

You need a competent and dedicated drug offense lawyer who is well-versed in drug laws, who knows how to intensively investigate your arrest and its circumstances, who knows what to look for in seeking evidence that will be favorable to you, and who will work as hard for you with your defense as he would for a friend or family. You will find all that and more at Midwest Defense where you can bring your case to highly-disciplined former Marine who puts heart and soul into protecting your rights and building an effective case against the prosecution.

Accused of a drug offense? Time is of the essence – contact us at (651) 808-0335 to personally discuss your case with our Minnesota drug offense attorney.

Types of Drug Crimes in Minnesota

Many different types of drug crimes exist under Minnesota law based on the type of drug (what “Schedule” it falls under), the quantity involved, and the activities in which the drugs were used or intended for use. When facing a drug crime, whether it is a first-degree, which is the most serious, or a lesser degree offense, you face potential jail or prison time, fines, extended terms of probation, and other potential court orders. Other factors can also be involved that can “aggravate” the crime which may lead to harsher penalties.

The basic drug crimes include:

• Possession for one’s own use
• Possession with intent to sell or distribute
• Sales or distribution
• Drug cultivation or manufacture
• Trafficking

The degrees of drug crimes range from first-degree which is the most serious down to fifth-degree. Examples of these are as follows:

First-degree possession is based on possessing an illegal drug that meets what is called a minimum threshold amount, such as 50 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine. The minimum thresholds in first-degree sales crimes includes 17 grams of cocaine or methamphetamine or 10 grams of heroin. It is also a first-degree drug crime to manufacture any amount of methamphetamine. Penalties for a first-degree drug offense can range up to 30 years in prions and up to $1 million in fines.

Second-degree drug offenses also include both possession and sales but of a lesser amount than first-degree crimes. The penalties for these crimes can range up to 25 years in prison with fines of up to $500,000. If you have a previous drug crime record, you can face longer prison terms which can include a three-year mandatory minimum sentence in cases of previous drug felonies.

Third-degree drug offenses can also involve possession of various amounts of illegal drugs, the sale of various amounts of controlled substances, as well as selling to a minor or using a minor for sales. It carries up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Fourth-degree drug offenses include possession and sales. An example is possession of 10 doses of PCP or a hallucinogen or sales of a Schedule IV or V drug to a minor. It also includes the sale of any amount of marijuana near a school, park, or other protected area. It carries up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.

Fifth-degree drug offenses involve selling and possessing illegal drugs and includes using fraudulent means to obtain an illegal substance, such as with an unauthorized prescription for a medical drug. It can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Find Dedicated Legal Representation at Midwest Defense

As shown above, drug crimes are a serious matter. Even the lowest level of these offenses can severely impact your life. You need a committed and capable criminal defense lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and your best interests from start to finish. At Midwest Defense, our team is here for you, to be your advocate, to provide the guidance and counsel you need, and to ensure that you receive legal support of the highest order.

Reach out to our Minnesota drug offense lawyer at (651) 808-0335 for your free case review.