If you are facing drug charges in Wisconsin, it’s time to hire a criminal defense attorney

When most people think of drug crimes, they may think of a hardened criminal running an enterprise selling drugs on the streets of a broken down inner city. But in Wisconsin, you can be arrested for drug offenses for any manufacture, distribution, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. You can get convicted even without selling or intending to sell drugs.  Drug charges in Wisconsin can bring severe penalties and jail time, so it’s important to understand what can be included and to talk to a Madison WI criminal defense attorney that can represent you.

Controlled Substances

The penalties for violating the drug dealing statute are not limited to illegal drugs. You may immediately think of heroin or methamphetamine, but most prescription drugs are considered controlled substances, including Adderall, Xanax, Oxycontin, and a number of other substances prescribed for pain, depression, or other medical conditions. You do not have to sell street drugs for the law to consider you a dealer.

Manufacture, Distribution, and Delivery

Manufacturing drugs is exactly what it sounds like. If you mix chemicals to make methamphetamine, or create other drugs on your own, or grow marijuana, you can be charged with illegal manufacture of a controlled substance. This can even include changing the form of a drug into something else.

Distribution and delivery mean more than just selling substances. If you let a friend or family member share a drug that was prescribed to you, or give someone a pill that is listed as a controlled substance, the law considers you to be illegally distributing or delivering a controlled substance. If you purchase marijuana in a legal way and share it with someone else, that too represents an illegal distribution. And even before you give something to someone, you can be charged with intent to deliver.

Drug Crime Violations Are Felonies

Wisconsin provides a chart defining the classes of crimes and punishments available for drug offenses. Almost all offenses are felonies; if you are convicted, you will be fined and may go to jail as well. Moreover, you will have a felony conviction on your record that can make it difficult to find employment or get credit. If you have been arrested on drug charges, seek experienced legal help from Eisenberg Law Offices immediately.