Have you been charged with sale of illegal drugs?
If you’ve been charged with selling or distributing illegal drugs, the seriousness of the crime cannot be understated. Such charges are considered felony offenses in Minnesota and are punished harshly by the judicial system, with long jail terms and stiff fines. Though these matters are serious, with the help of a skilled Minnesota drug defense attorney you can put on a strong defense of your own.
Have you been charged with Drug Sales and Distribution?
Call the Kans Law Firm today at (952) 835-6314 for a FREE Case Review.
Know your rights.
What are drug sales charges?
Drug sale crimes encompass a range of criminal charges, including those related to selling, distributing or trafficking drugs. Lower level offenses often arise from sales made to undercover officers, while trafficking offenses typically occur in cases where a person is found in possession of a large amount of drugs.
Penalties
If you are have been charged with drug distribution, it is true that the penalties can be incredibly harsh. First-degree drug sale charges in Minnesota are the most severe and could result in up to 30 years in prison and up to a $1,000,000 fine. These penalties increase if you have a previous conviction, with the possibility of up to 40 years behind bars. Beyond the jail time and steep fines, someone convicted of a drug distribution charge will deal with the burden of a criminal record, something that can impact your ability to find a job, housing, financial aid, to own a firearm and even to vote.
Defenses
Given how serious such charges can be, it is important to understand that you have options to defend yourself. A skilled criminal defense attorney will base your defense on the specific facts of your case, but generally, there are several important defenses that can be raised in drug distribution cases.
First, you can argue that you were never in possession of the actual drugs. Without this first crucial piece of evidence, prosecutors will not be able to secure a conviction. Second, you can argue that even if you did possess the drugs, you never had any intention of selling them. Instead, the drugs may have been meant for personal use only, meaning there was no intent to sell. Though this would not excuse all criminal charges, it would typically result in a much less severe penalty.
Given the severe consequences for those charged with drug distribution, it is critical that you reach out to an attorney with the experience to handle such complex criminal matters. Remember that no matter how serious the charges, you are not without hope and that a skilled legal defense can be mounted on your behalf. If you or someone you know is dealing with a drug distribution case and is in need of advice, don’t hesitate to call the Kans Law Firm today at (952) 835-6314 for a free consultation.