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Misdemeanor drug possession charges in Appleton could have a maximum penalty of up to 3.5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. A felony drug charge has a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of $100,000. Drug possession and distribution penalties in Wisconsin are typically determined by the type of drug, the amount, and several other factors.
If you are facing drug charges in Appleton, call Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys at (920) 381-1126 for a free case consultation.
Drug possession and distribution charges are very difficult to fight if you don’t know your way around the law. An experienced criminal defense attorney will know how to pick apart your case and apply the law to the facts. Picking the right Appleton drug lawyer increases the chances your drug charges get dropped or reduced.
Your fines and/or jail time entirely depend on the type of drug you’re being charged with, the class of drug, the amount, and several other factors. Drug possession and distribution charges are typically misdemeanors or felonies but can result in a civil charge. The best way to know what charges are associated with your specific case is to talk to an experienced Appleton criminal defense attorney.
In Wisconsin, your penalties will vary depending on the county where your drug charges occurred
The type of drug in question plays a big role in the severity of your charges. For example, possession of marijuana in Wisconsin is far less penalized than possession of heroin. Although still illegal, marijuana is generally viewed as one of the least serious drugs. “Party drugs” like ecstasy, LSD, and shrooms are considered to be the next most serious group of drugs. The most extreme group of drugs in the eyes of prosecutors include methamphetamines, cocaine, crack, heroin, and similar drugs.
Even drugs considered the least dangerous will be treated very seriously by the court system/ prosecutors.
The outcome of your drug-related case heavily depends on the county you were in when you were charged. This is because certain crimes are taken more seriously than others in different areas based on the prevailing issues in that area. For example, Milwaukee may be more strict on gun charges than West Bend because it’s a bigger issue there.
Drug penalties and fines can also vary depending on the judge and prosecutor you are facing. To find the best results, you’ll need an attorney who’s experienced and knows how judges and prosecutors perceive different cases. Although judges have to follow Wisconsin state law, certain judges will handle drug charges differently than others.
Our criminal defense attorneys have been fighting against drug charges for years and know most of the judges in Appleton and throughout Wisconsin. We know how Wisconsin’s judges feel about certain drug crimes. We’re able to accurately advise how to address certain cases based on the judges and prosecutors in your area.
Our Appleton defense attorneys defend clients facing any misdemeanor or felony drug charge including:
The amount of drugs in your possession greatly impacts the penalties and charges associated with your case. If you’re being charged with intent to distribute, penalties will be even greater. The amount of drugs you have often helps prosecutors and judges determine if you had intent to distribute (different weights/ amounts depending on the drug). Other variables other than amount can lead prosecutors to believe you had the intent to distribute (like being in possession of a scale, distribution baggies, or other paraphernalia).
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs will result in an OWI (DUI) in Appleton, Wisconsin. These types of cases are treated similarly to alcohol DUIs. You can recieve an OWI for operating with drugs in your system (you don’t have to be high). You can also get an OWI for operating a vehicle with prescribed medications in your system if they can impair you in some way. Drug OWIs are complicated cases that often require the help of an experienced criminal defense drug attorney. Tom Grieve has years of experience representing clients facing Wisconsin 1st offense OWI charges due to alcohol and drugs.
If you’re convicted, a drug charge will stay on your record for life. In some cases, you can get your drug charge expunged from your record. An expunged charge doesn’t mean it’s removed from your record, it just means it’s not visible to the public. However, you may need to report your drug convictions to future employers, landlords, or on applications for professional licenses.
To beat a drug charge you’ll have to apply the law to the facts of your case. There are 4 things to consider if you want to beat your drug case:
An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to analyze the facts and determine what evidence can be used to fight the case. There are many ways a criminal conviction can be beaten, but you’ll need an aggressive, knowledgeable attorney to help you through the process.
