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Charged with Cocaine Possession: Wisconsin Penalties & Fines

First offense possession of cocaine is a misdemeanor punishable by 1 year in jail, fines up to $5,000, and loss of driving privileges for up to 5 years. Subsequent cocaine possession charges are felony offenses. Any amount that can be tested (including an empty bag) counts as possession. Wisconsin statutes do not differentiate between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, but crack can lead to aggravated charges because it is more addictive.

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Fines & Penalties for Cocaine Possession in Wisconsin

When you’re charged with cocaine possession in Wisconsin, the consequences can be severe. Cocaine is a Schedule II Controlled Substance under the Wisconsin Controlled Substances Act. Schedule II substances are defined by the state as having a high potential for abuse, which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. If you are unsure of which felony/misdemeanor class your charges fall under, look into Class U misdemeanors in WI or call us for more information.

  • 1st offense cocaine possession in Wisconsin – A misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. This may also include suspension of driving privileges for up to 5 years and additional surcharges of up to $2,500.
  • Every subsequent charge of cocaine possession – Class I felony Wisconsin penalty carrying a prison sentence of up to 3 years, 6 months with a $10,000 fine. Felony cocaine possession in Wisconsin also includes a Drug Abuse Program Improvement Surcharge of up to $5,000.
  • Cocaine possession within 1,000 feet of a school or certain protected buildings – Mandatory sentence of 100 hours of community service.

Cocaine Possession with Paraphernalia

If you’re being charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, you may face additional charges which carry an additional $500 fine and imprisonment of up to 30 days. In Wisconsin, possession of cocaine drug paraphernalia may include anything from pipes to smoke crack cocaine to razor blades used to cut cocaine powder.

Felony cocaine possession in Wisconsin also includes a drug abuse program improvement surcharge of up to $5,000. Drug conviction surcharges were enacted in 1987 and are granted to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to fund drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs. 

Cocaine Possession with a Firearm

If you were arrested for cocaine possession or cocaine smuggling with a firearm, prison terms and fines may increase substantially. As one of Wisconsin’s best firearm attorneys, Tom Grieve has a nuanced understanding of the complexities that come with charges involving drugs and guns. OWI penalties can also be added if you were operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Learn more about how OWI charges can be paired with possession charges.

Could You be Facing Felony Charges?

Depending on the severity of your cocaine-related crime, you could be charged with a felony that comes with severe penalties and consequences.

  • Causing death by administering, making, or selling schedule I or II narcotic drugs – When administering, making, or selling schedule I or II narcotic drugs results in a death, you will be charged with fines associated with a Class C felony. These types of charges include up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
  • 2nd or subsequent possession of cocaine charge – If you receive a second or subsequent possession of cocaine charge in Wisconsin, you could be facing up to 3.5 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, or both. This type of charge is typically classified as a Type I felony.

Charged with cocaine possession in Wisconsin? Contact us to set up your free consultation and give yourself the best chance at beating misdemeanor or felony drug possession charges.

In Wisconsin, How Long Does a Possession of Cocaine Charge Stay on Your Record?

In Wisconsin, 1st offense cocaine possession will stay on your record for life. Subsequent charges are felonies and will also stay on your record for life. The amount of cocaine you have could also make you face other charges like “intent to distribute”.

How to Beat Cocaine Possession Charges

If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony cocaine possession in Wisconsin and you’re wondering what to do next, our advice is to act smart and fast.

Grieve Law is an award-winning criminal defense law firm in Wisconsin with experience in drug possession charges. Our attorneys are well-respected both in legal circles and by the public for their ability to get drug possession charges reduced or dropped completely.

When you don’t know where to turn, trust Wisconsin drug defense law firm Grieve Law. No criminal defense law firm in Milwaukee can match our record for getting drug charges reduced or dropped. It doesn’t matter if you’re being charged with 1st offense cocaine possession or felony cocaine possession, Grieve Law produces powerful, strategic defenses to help you beat the drug charges you’re facing.

How do You Beat a Drug Sale Charge in Wisconsin?

The following are some examples of defenses that could help you beat your drug charges:

  • The drugs weren’t yours, and you were unaware that they were in your possession.
  • Someone set you up.
  • The lab made errors.
  • The police did not follow proper procedures.
  • You were illegally searched.