Serving Minneapolis, Saint Paul and all of Minnesota.
The State of Minnesota has some of the most severe penalties for drug crimes in the nation. The three categories that crimes fall into are misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony. Depending upon many factors, including severity of the drug crime, criminal history score, and sometimes location of the crime, a judge will decide what fines or jail or prison sentences to hand out. Another category, called petty misdemeanor, is not considered a “crime” but can result in fines up to $300.
Minnesota defines a crime as conduct which is prohibited by statue and for which imprisonment may be sentenced, with or without a fine. Based on the following definitions, controlled substance crimes in Minnesota generally fall under the category of “felony.”
Felony: a crime punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of more than one year
Gross Misdemeanor: more than a misdemeanor, but less than a felony, maximum fine allowed of $3,000
Misdemeanor: sentence of not more than 90 days imprisonment, or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both
Controlled Substance Crimes
First Degree
- First conviction: maximum 30 years, or up to $1,000,000 fine, or both
- Second conviction: 4-40 years, and, in addition, up to $1,000,000 fine
Second Degree
- First conviction: maximum 25 years, or up to $500,000 fine, or both
- Second conviction: 3-40 years, and, in addition to, up to $500,000 fine
Third Degree
- First conviction: maximum 20 years, or up to $250,000 fine, or both
- Second conviction: 2-30 years, and, in addition to, up to $250,000 fine
Fourth Degree
- Frist conviction: maximum 15 years, or up to $100,000 fine, or both
- Second conviction: 1-30 years, and, in addition to, up to $100,000 fine
Fifth Degree
- First conviction: maximum 5 years, or up to $10,000 fine, or both
What You Need to Know
If you have been charged with a drug crime, or a controlled substance crime in any degree in Minnesota, it is important for you to contact the Minneapolis drug crime attorneys at Gaskins Bennett Birrell Schupp LLP. These knowledgeable attorneys can help you figure out your best course of action for the charges against you.
