Minnesota Drug Crime Lawyer: Bloomington, Minneapolis & Statewide

Drug Crime Attorney & Drug Defense Lawyer Serving Minnesota

Whether you were charged in Bloomington, Minneapolis, or a county courthouse elsewhere in Minnesota, the right drug crime lawyer can be the difference between a conviction that follows you for decades and a case that gets dismissed, reduced, or resolved in drug court. Suspected drug crimes are taken seriously across the state because of how such offenses are viewed, and prosecutors from Hennepin County to Greater Minnesota charge them aggressively. This is especially true when the allegation involves distributing or manufacturing controlled substances. Charles Segal has defended these cases throughout Minnesota for years and knows how the courts actually handle them.

The charge on the complaint is a starting point, not a verdict. The first job of the defense is to test whether the state can actually prove each element of the crime it picked.

If trafficking or distributing over state lines, the case can become a federal one. Whether at the state or federal level, you need a Minnesota drug crimes defense lawyer with the skill and experience to represent you and fight for a fair result.

Charles Segal is well-versed in drug crime defense and will defend you against the charges, using every resource available to secure a conclusion that will enable you to move on with your life as soon as possible.

Effective Drug Crime Defense

The following are areas where Mr. Segal has successfully represented clients. Each links to a page that explains that specific charge in detail:

• • Possession of Controlled Substances
• • Distribution/Trafficking Controlled Substances
• • Manufacturing Controlled Substances
• • Forfeiture Hearings

The types of drugs that can be involved in these crimes include methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, prescription drugs, and synthetic drugs. Each drug is placed into a class, which can affect the nature of the criminal charge and a potential conviction. It is your right to fight for your future, which is why it is important to have a Minnesota drug crimes defense lawyer in your corner.

With your attorney by your side, you can avoid or minimize such consequences as jail or prison time, high fines, probation, and a criminal record that can negatively influence many areas of your life.

The Guidance You Need

Segal Defense, P.A. will provide you with the guidance that you need. For instance, the police could potentially try and make a deal with you without your defense attorney present. You don't have to talk to the police without your attorney. Any deal with the police doesn't guarantee dismissed or reduced charges.

You can also challenge the forfeiture of property or money that occurs at the time of the arrest. You have 30 days to challenge property forfeiture, but there are times when the challenge is successful and property is returned.

There are many facets to a drug crime charge. Charles Segal has helped clients in the Twin Cities metro and in counties throughout Minnesota fight the charges against them and secure the best possible results.

Minnesota Controlled-Substance Degrees Explained

Minnesota sorts drug offenses into five degrees under Minnesota Statutes chapter 152. First degree is the most serious and fifth degree is the least. The degree you are charged with depends on the type of drug, the amount, and whether there are aggravating factors or prior convictions. Here is how the five degrees generally break down:

• • First degree: the largest quantities, such as 25 grams or more of meth, heroin, or cocaine. Carries up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $1 million, with higher exposure on repeat convictions, per Minnesota Statute §152.021.
• • Second degree: fines up to $500,000 and up to 25 years in prison. Prior convictions can increase the sentence.
• • Third and fourth degree: felony-level charges that turn on quantity, drug type, and whether a sale was involved.
• • Fifth degree: the least serious, with fines up to $10,000 and prison time up to five years. In some cases it can be reduced to a gross misdemeanor rather than a felony.

The exact facts change everything. A charge built on quantity gets fought differently than one built on an alleged sale. If your case is really about what you were holding, read our page on possession of controlled substances. If the state is alleging a sale or transport, see distribution and trafficking, which can become a federal case when drugs cross state lines. If police say you were making drugs or holding the materials to make them, see manufacturing of controlled substances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a drug crime attorney if I was only charged with possession?

Yes. Even a fifth-degree possession charge is a felony in Minnesota and can carry up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A drug defense attorney can challenge how the drugs were found, whether the search was legal, and whether the case belongs in drug court instead of a prison sentence. Talking to the police without a lawyer rarely helps, and any deal they offer does not guarantee reduced or dismissed charges.

What is the difference between a drug crime lawyer and a drug defense attorney?

They are the same thing. Whether you search for a drug crime lawyer, a drug defense attorney, or a controlled-substance attorney in Minneapolis, Bloomington, or anywhere else in Minnesota, you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer who handles controlled-substance cases. Charles Segal handles possession, distribution, trafficking, and manufacturing charges at both the state and federal level.

Can the police take my property when I am arrested for a drug crime?

They can try. Property or money can be seized at the time of arrest through forfeiture, but you have 30 days to challenge it. Those challenges are sometimes successful and the property is returned. See our page on forfeiture hearings for how that process works.

Which courts does Segal Defense handle drug cases in?

Charles Segal represents clients in state and federal courts throughout Minnesota, not only in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the rest of the Twin Cities metro. If you were charged anywhere in the state, he can help. Our main office is at 3800 American Blvd. in Bloomington, with additional locations in Edina, Minnetonka, St Louis Park, and Woodbury.

Contact A Minnesota Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of a drug crime, it is important to defend your rights and your future with the help of an experienced defense attorney. Charles Segal has the experience and knowledge of the law to help you secure the best outcome in your case. To learn more about your rights and options, call Segal Defense, P.A. at (612) 299-1110 to request a free consultation.