Minnesota Drug Possession Charges (Explained)

Possession of drugs in the State of Minnesota is a serious crime, regardless of how much or how little you are caught with. However, there are ways to beat these charges.

Possession of Drug Crimes


If you are charged with possession of drugs - you can either be facing a felony or a gross misdemeanor complaint depending on the amount in your possession and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. 


All drug crimes are tried in a separate Minnesota court and follow a different set of rules. It is important that you seek legal advice from an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as you are arrested or accused of any drug possession crime.


Examples of charges:

• Possession of narcotics with the intent to sell
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of narcotics
• Possession of marijuana with the intent to sell
• Possession of certain chemicals with the intent to manufacturer
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

What Are the Consequences?

Your penalty will depend of a number of factors including how much drugs you had in your possession, what was the intent of having this drug and what drugs were you caught with. Your criminal record may also play a role in your punishment. If you have been convicted of any drug crime in the past, then you could be looking at more severe penalties this time around.  Penalties for drug crimes include fines and fees, community service, drug rehabilitation in some instances and jail time.

Defenses


Even the tiniest joint or minute traces of cocaine or methamphetamine can end up on your permanent record. Furthermore, if you are found in possession of scales, a pipe or plastic baggies, you could also be arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. The more drugs found in your possession, the worse your punishment will be, especially if there are suspicions that you were planning on selling the drugs. Possession of drugs for personal use is considered a lot less severe than possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. However, a crime is still a crime and will end up on your permanent record if convicted.

It is important to understand that just because you have been arrested for drug possession does not automatically make you a convicted criminal, or a bad person. There are a number of defense strategies to take when faced with a possession drug crime. If the drugs are not clearly in your possession (in your pocket), then there may be a case for mistaken identity. You could plead that the drugs found in your car or house were not yours. If the drugs were discovered during an illegal search and seizure that violated your right to privacy, then the evidence collected cannot be used against you.  The Rolloff Law Office will assess your case, gather evidence, consult with experts and determine the best defense tactics to take for your situation.

What You Should Do Next

Don’t let one mistake ruin the rest of your life. The Rolloff Law Office is there when you need us most. It is important to act fast when facing an arrest and criminal conviction. Let me put my experience as a former prosecutor to work for you to provide an aggressive representation and the legal assistance you need to ensure the best outcome possible for your case. Call today to set up a FREE consultation: (612) 234-1165.