What If I’m Charged with 4th Degree Felony Drug Possession or Sale in Minnesota?
While drug crimes have seen some reform in recent years, Minnesota continues to investigate, arrest and charge people for drugs in St. Paul and across the state. Further, once those charges come, the ramifications may include felony convictions, substantial prison sentences and even huge fines. If you are facing drug charges or the police simply want to talk to you, contact an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney immediately.
The factors that Minnesota uses to determine controlled substances and drug charges includes:
Type of Drugs based upon Schedule
Quantity of Drugs
Whether it is Drug Sale or simply possession
Minnesota divides controlled substances into 5 levels or schedules:
Schedule 1
These are considered the most dangerous drugs that have no medical value and the highest probability for addiction and abuse
Examples include heroin and methamphetamine
Schedule 2
These are considered slightly less dangerous than Schedule 1 drugs but still have a high potential for addiction and abuse
Examples include oxycontin, cocaine
Schedule 3
These are considered slightly less dangerous than Schedule 2 drugs but still have a potential for addiction and abuse
Examples include steroids and ketamine
Schedule 4
These are considered less dangerous than Schedule 3 drugs with a low potential for addiction and abuse
Examples include diazepam and midazolam
Schedule 5
These are the least dangerous compared to previous Scheduled drugs and are frequently limited to small amounts as part of a larger mixture
Minnesota continues to focus on certain controlled substances including:
Fentanyl
Heroin
Cocaine and Methamphetamine
Marijuana, Delta 9
Opiates
Oxycontin
Misuse or possession of prescription drugs.
The range of potential charges include:
The remainder of this article will focus on 4th degree possession. If you are facing drug charges in Minnesota, it is critical to sit down with an experienced criminal defense attorney. This may be even more true if you haven’t been charged but the police simply want to talk. This is called pre-charge representation.
Fourth Degree Drug Possession
Fourth degree possession or sale are both felonies and can be very serious. For possession, it is more about the type of drug and amounts. The Fourth degree charge can also include a sales component. This can include even trace amounts. These kinds of charges sometimes happen based upon evidence found at the scene including a scale, baggies and other evidence that convince prosecutors that these is a sale issue rather than a simple possession question.
Possession
Possession of any of the following may be sufficient to constitute a fourth degree drug possession charge:
Hallucinogen – 10 doses or more
Any amount of a Schedule I, II, or III drug
Sales Crimes
Sales crimes of any of the following may be sufficient to constitute a fourth degree charge:
Cocaine, Methamphetamine - Any amount
Heroin - Any amount
Other narcotics - Any amount of a Schedule I, II or III drug
Sale of Schedule IV or V drug to person under 18
Marijuana or THC - Any amount of marijuana in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment facility
Penalties
Penalties for a forth degree drug possession or sale charge include
A Felony Conviction; and
Up to 15 years in prison; and
Up to a $100,000 fine.
Drug charges can be brutal for even first time offenses. Even if you can avoid some of the harsher possibilities, drug convictions can have a terrible impact on your life. Trying to get or keep a job? Going to school to make something of yourself? Are you a professional who has spent years getting to the position that you are in? Do you possess a professional license that could be at risk? The ramifications for drug charges in Minnesota go on and on and on.
St. Paul based Drug Lawyer Jack Rice has been fighting these kinds of allegations in Minnesota for decades and has an award winning track record. Don’t just put your representation into anybody’s hands. Go with the best. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.