A significant number of Minnesota arrests result from drug crimes. In addition, those charged with a drug offense make up the majority of people incarcerated statewide.
If you are charged with a drug crime in Minneapolis you’ll want to avoid becoming a statistic. Contact the law office of Judith Samson to ensure the best possible outcome in your case.
Degrees of Drug Crimes
Chapter 152 of the 2018 Minnesota Statutes spells out the state’s numerous drug offenses. The various drug crimes and their correlating degrees include:
- Controlled Substance in the First Degree. This crime generally involves the sale or possession of high amounts of crack, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. It carries a sentence of up to 30 years, and comes with a potential $1 million fine.
- Controlled Substance in the Second Degree. Deals with significant amounts of crack, cocaine, or any Schedule I or II narcotic drug. Comes with a prison term of up to 20 years and a fine as high as $250,000.
- Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. This charge is normally brought when an individual sells or possesses more than 10 grams of a narcotic other than heroin. Punishment may include 20 years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $250,000.
- Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree. Can involve the possession of 10 or more dosages of a hallucinogenic drug. You could receive a 15 year prison term and a fine of up to $100,000.
- Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree. Most “minor” drug crimes fall into this category; however, the punishment can still be as long as five years in prison along with a $10,000 fine.
Minnesota Drug Distribution Crimes
Chapter 152 of the 2018 Minnesota Statutes also spells out certain distribution crimes. In particular, it talks about importing controlled substances across state borders and the possession of substances with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. You could receive between 10 and 35 years in prison and a fine of between $20,000 and $1,250,000 if found guilty of one of these crimes.
Twin Cities residents who are accused of controlled substance crimes have lots at stake. Contact the law office of Judith Samson if you or a loved one has been arrested.
Fighting Drug Charges in Minneapolis/St. Paul
Drug crimes normally involve some form of search and seizure. Whether you were served with a search warrant or arrested after a traffic stop, it’s important to see that police did not violate your rights.
That’s where an experience drug crimes defense attorney comes in, ensuring that search warrants were executed properly and that there was indeed cause for a traffic stop.
If evidence was obtained illegally, it cannot be used. In that case, we will make every effort to see that it is thrown out.
Witness credibility is often an issue with many drug crimes as well. Accordingly, we may investigate the possibility of others providing false information in order to save themselves.
Actions before a Minneapolis Arrest
Search and seizure laws generally do not apply if you consent to a search. At the same time, police do not need a search warrant if evidence is in plain sight.
We advise against consenting to searching or running your mouth as soon as police snatch evidence under the plain view doctrine. Either one could be detrimental to your case, so speak with attorney Judith Samson before waiving any of your rights.
Twin Cities Drug Crime Defense
With more than 20 years of criminal law defense, Judith Samson is very familiar with Minnesota drug crime laws. Allow her to use the knowledge and experience she has gained in order to better serve you. Don’t wait until it is too late to call-contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
