Under Wisconsin drug laws, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute/sell is automatically a felony, regardless of the amount of marijuana. The penalties escalate in accordance to the amount of THC found in connection to the drug offense. The lowest charge is a Class I felony for 200 grams or less and the heaviest charge is a class E felony for more than 10000 grams of THC.
First offense cocaine possession in Wisconsin is a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $5,000 and up to a year in a county jail. However, a first offense possession of cocaine with intent to distribute less than 1 gram is a Class G felony carrying penalties of up to $25,000 and 10 years in state prison.
The penalties escalate if you are being charged with possession or manufacturing of cocaine with intent to distribute:
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If you’re charged with cocaine possession in Wisconsin the penalties are severe, but they pale in comparison to charges of possession with intent to distribute, sell, deliver or manufacture cocaine or crack cocaine.
As a Schedule II controlled substance under the State of Wisconsin Controlled Substances Act, cocaine and crack cocaine are considered to have “high potential for abuse,” as well as high risk of dependency. The law is designed to enforce the harshest penalties against those who produce (manufacture) and distribute (sell or deliver) narcotics and other controlled substances.
Unlike cocaine possession, the charges for cocaine possession with intent to distribute escalate based on the amount of cocaine or crack cocaine you’re accused of carrying. In addition to prison time and a fine, any property linked to the sale, distribution, production or consumption of illegal drugs will be confiscated by the state.
Drug charges in the state of Wisconsin also carry an additional surcharge, called the drug abuse program Improvement Surcharge, which adds as much as an additional 50% to any fines imposed by a court. The surcharge is paid to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to offset the costs of alcohol and drug abuse prevention initiatives.
Moreover, drug convictions include suspension of driving privileges for at least 6 months and up to 5 years from the date of the violation.
Prosecutors in Wisconsin are known to push for the harshest sentences possible in all drug cases. If you’re being charged with possession of cocaine with intent, it is likely you will be slapped with additional charges like possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle while impaired (OWI), or possibly weapons charges.
Each of the above charges carries additional penalties, including additional jail time that may have to be served consecutively. Prison terms may also be extended an extra 5 years if it is proven you distributed cocaine to a minor, or if the offense occurred within 1,000 feet of a school or other protected building.
If you’re facing possession with intent to distribute charges, you need the best defense attorney you can get. Grieve Law can help get both your OWI charges and possession charges dropped or reduced.
Grieve Law is a criminal defense law firm in Wisconsin with years of experience with drug charges. No other Wisconsin drug offense lawyers can match our impressive case history of getting drug charges reduced or dropped completely.
Attorneys at Grieve Law have been called a “Wisconsin Rising Star” by Super Lawyers and named in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America by The National Trial Lawyers. They’ve also received the Client’s Choice award from Avvo, among other noteworthy legal honors and awards.
Whether you’re being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, your best chance at beating the charges is to have Grieve Law represent you.
Contact the drug possession attorneys at Grieve Law today to request a FREE consultation.