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Drug crimes are taken seriously in Bloomington and throughout the state. Local and federal law enforcement agencies regularly investigate and prosecute people for various drug-related crimes. These types of charges include possession and distribution of prohibited substances as well as illegal use of medications.
If you have been accused of these crimes, it is important to understand the drug laws in Bloomington. Your specific charges will determine the potential penalties you face and what defense strategies could be used against them. As such, it is critical that you contact a knowledgeable drug attorney to explain the relevant statutes and protect your rights throughout the legal proceedings.
Under Minnesota law, there are two main types of drug crimes. First, a person could be charged for possession of any controlled substance, whether it is an illicit drug or a medication that they do not have a for. The other main type of charge is the sale of prohibited drugs, which means engaging in a transaction to illegally buy or sell a controlled substance.
However, it is important to note that a sale does not actually have to occur for a person to be accused of a sale crime. If the prosecution believes that an individual had the intent to engage in a sale, they could add these charges. In these cases, an accused Bloomington resident should contact a persistent lawyer to contest allegations of intent to sell illegal substances.
Common substances in Bloomington drug cases include:
Additionally, it is illegal to have any drug without the proper . Possession or sale of different substances may be subject to different penalties under state drug laws, which a well-informed attorney in the area could further explain.
Under Minnesota law, there are a few exceptions as to who may possess or distribute illegal substances. First, doctors and pharmacists are authorized to interact with medications. Additionally, law enforcement may possess prohibited drugs in the course of seizing them in legal investigations. A Bloomington resident with a valid for medical marijuana would also be legally allowed to possess that specific drug, as long as they get it from a legit dispensary.
If a person is not supposed to drive while using a particular , or if they are taking a higher dosage than prescribed and impairing their ability to drive, then that case would fall under Minnesota’s driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws.
Additionally, an individual may face charges for carrying a controlled substance without its labeled bottle, even if they have a for it. This could be added as a separate offense in a Bloomington drug case, so those facing related charges should consult an attorney with knowledge of the relevant drug laws.
In the state of Minnesota, marijuana has been decriminalized in amounts less than 42.5 grams. However, simple possession of small amounts of the substance is not legal, it is just no longer a criminal offense. It is now a petty misdemeanor infraction. Essentially, a police officer would take the marijuana from the individual if it was found in their possession. The individual may receive a ticket or be forced to pay a small fine, but they would not be arrested or put in jail.
However, if the marijuana is found in a person’s vehicle, they could be charged with a criminal offense. The decriminalization threshold for this offense is 1.4 grams instead of 42.5 grams. Any more than that amount could result in criminal charges that could carry more severe penalties, such as a license suspension, upon conviction.
It is important to note that only marijuana has been decriminalized in the state. Possession of other substances in small amounts will still result in the same criminal charges. Additionally, even if someone obtained marijuana in a state where it is legal and completely decriminalized, such as Colorado, they are not permitted to bring it back to Minnesota and could be charged for doing so.
Many times, people think that they do not need to worry about drug charges until they go to court. However, those without a deep understanding of prohibited substance laws may be ill-prepared for police questioning or other aspects of an initial criminal investigation. This could lead them to accidentally make incriminating statements or otherwise hurt their case.
An experienced lawyer could provide important information on the drug laws in Bloomington and help a person prepare their defense right from the start. If you are facing these types of charges, contact our firm immediately for a consultation.