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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 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.
First offense cocaine possession in Appleton is a misdemeanor with penalties of up to one year in jail, $5,000 in fines and possible license suspension. A second offense becomes a Class I felony with up to 3.5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Charges may increase if the offense occurs near protected areas or involves paraphernalia or a firearm.
To convict, the state must prove the substance was cocaine, the defendant knew they possessed the cocaine and had control over its location. Defenses often challenge illegal searches or lack of probable cause, which may lead to suppressed evidence and dropped charges.
Possession of heroin in Appleton is a Class I felony and has penalties of up to $10,000 fines and/or up to 3.5 years in prison. If caught with the intent to distribute or deliver, penalties may include up to $100,000 fines and/or up to 40 years in prison:
Intent to distribute or deliver heroin in your possession may be charged as a Class F, E, D, or C felony. The charges are determined by the amount of heroin in your possession.
Defenses include challenging the discovery of the heroin, whether the heroin was in your possession and whether you had the intent to distribute. Wisconsin’s Good Samaritan law may also protect those seeking emergency help during an overdose.
LSD possession is a Class I felony with penalties up to 3.5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Distribution charges start at a Class F felony with penalties up to 12.5 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.
LSD is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has no legal medical use and a high risk of abuse. Conviction may lead to probation, mandatory treatment, or vehicle forfeiture under Wisconsin asset laws.
To convict, prosecutors must prove you knowingly possessed LSD. If the drug was found in a shared space or the result of an unlawful search, your attorney may argue a lack of control or improper evidence collection. Grieve Law attorneys routinely challenge important factors to help clients reduce or drop charges.
Unlawful possession of prescription drugs like Adderall, Xanax, or Oxycodone is a Class A misdemeanor with penalties up to 1 year in jail and $5,000 in fines. Felony charges may apply for narcotics or large quantities. Possession with intent to distribute can result in Class F to Class C felonies, depending on the type, and amount of drugs involved.
Prescription drug cases often hinge on how the drugs were obtained and whether a valid prescription existed. Defenses include challenging illegal searches, proving a lack of intent or showing the drugs belonged to someone else. Grieve Law has a strong track record of helping clients avoid long-term damage from prescription drug convictions.
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).
Under Wisconsin law, maintaining a drug trafficking place means knowingly keeping or using a property to store, manufacture or use illegal drugs.
According to Wisconsin statute 961.42, this offense is a Class I felony in Appleton, carrying penalties of up to 3.5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Even if the property is used primarily for personal drug use, you can still face felony charges. Police often file this charge alongside others, such as drug possession or intent to distribute.
Prosecutors must prove you knowingly allowed drug activity in a place you controlled, whether owned, rented or shared. Defenses often center on whether you knew about the drug activity and whether the search uncovering it was lawful. Grieve Law defends clients facing drug house allegations by challenging search validity, intent, and role in the alleged activity.
Controlled substances are classified into five categories based on risk, abuse potential and medical use:
| Drug Schedule | Examples | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule I | Heroin, LSD, Ecstasy | High risk, no medical use; felony possession, even on first offense |
| Schedule II | Oxycodone, Adderall, Cocaine | High risk, limited medical use; felony without prescription |
| Schedule III | Steroids, Ketamine, Tylenol with codeine | Moderate risk; misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances |
| Schedule IV | Xanax, Valium, Ambien | Lower risk; possession without a prescription can still carry charges |
| Schedule V | Cough syrup with codeine, Lyrica | Lowest risk; often handled as misdemeanors or citations |
Controlled substance penalties in Wisconsin vary by substance, quantity, and intent. While first-time possession of many controlled substances is a misdemeanor, Schedule I or II drugs usually trigger Class I felony charges. Larger amounts or intent to distribute can raise charges to Class C felonies with up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 fines.
Police typically uncover controlled substances during searches of vehicles, homes or personal belongings. If your rights were violated during the search, the evidence may be thrown out. Grieve Law attorneys use search and seizure challenges and lack of knowledge arguments to fight controlled substance charges.
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.
