Minneapolis Drug Crime Lawyer

Controlled Substance Degrees under Minnesota Law

Controlled substances are drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and prescription drugs that are not legally available for sale or use except in the case of prescription drugs, where sale or use is only authorized through a prescription. There are a number of different crimes within Minnesota’s controlled substance laws, and all carry different penalties. If you or someone you know has been charged with a controlled substance crime, contact a Minneapolis criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to get to work on building a great defense.

Drug Crimes: Possession, Sales, Distribution, Cultivation

Sale and possession crimes are considered a first degree controlled substance crime when a person unlawfully sells 10 or more, 50 or more or 50 kilograms or more of such drugs as amphetamine, hallucinogens, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or other similar narcotics. Manufacturing any quantity of methamphetamine is also considered first degree, and penalties can range up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $1 Million. Second degree controlled substance charges are available to the court in cases where 3 or more grams of narcotics are sold, if the person buying the drugs is under 18, if the drugs are sold in a school zone and more. This also includes possession, and prison sentences not exceeding 25 years in addition to fines up to $500,000 may be imposed. Many illegal narcotics are mentioned in state law and they are categorized into five schedules.

Third degree controlled substance crimes expand to include the act of employing a minor to unlawfully sell a controlled substance, and those convicted can expect to spend up to 20 years in prison, and pay fines ranging as much as $250,000. Fourth degree controlled substance crimes expand more to include additional schedules and carry sentences in prison up to 15 years with fines not exceeding $100,000. Finally, fifth degree controlled substance crimes refer to many more specific aspects of sale and possession such as fewer schedules, very small amounts of marijuana, or attempts to control, procure or possess a controlled substance through fraud. This fifth degree carries a penalty up to 5 years in prison with fines ranging as high as $10,000. Also, fifth degree controlled substance crimes allow for a motion to be filed exempting the defendant from a mandatory minimum sentence.

Contact a Minneapolis drug crime defense attorney if you or a loved one has been charged with any controlled substance degree crime and needs to be represented in a court of law.