If you face a drug possession with intent to sell in the Twin Cities or greater Minnesota, you need to work with an experienced defense attorney to protect your future. At Ryan Pacyga Criminal Defense, our criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience defending clients throughout Minnesota and across the nation against possession with intent to distribute charges.

We know how much a criminal conviction for drug possession can impact your life. From spending years behind bars, expensive fines and a permanent criminal record, a conviction can forever alter your future. Our lawyers will aggressively fight for your rights and freedom including challenges to searches and seizures, reading your rights, attacking evidence or questions about possession. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you may be able to avoid some of the harsher consequences by fighting for reduced or dismissed charges.

A Conviction Can Have Lifelong Consequences

In Minnesota, if law enforcement catches you in possession of an illegal drug and they believe you intend to sell it, you can face a drug possession with intent to distribute charge. Possession is the crime of having any amount of an illegal drug in your possession, regardless of your intended use for the drugs. Intent to distribute happens when you allegedly plan on selling or distributing an illegal substance. No actual transaction must occur for an individual to be found guilty of intent to distribute. In fact, sometimes people are charged with intent to distribute just because of a high weight or number of drugs.

A possession with intent to distribute charge must combine the elements of both crimes. If law enforcement finds that you intend to distribute drugs, but you do not have them in your possession, you may face a conspiracy to distribute charge in state or federal court.

The penalties for possession with intent to distribute range depending on the type of drug, the quantity, prior criminal record and any aggravating circumstances. Circumstances that may lead to increased charges include using a firearm, selling near a school, selling drugs to a minor, an overdose, or having a prior drug conviction. A severe offense may lead to up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to one million dollars.

Get Started On Your Defense Today

Minnesota state and federal courts take all drug crimes seriously and prosecutes them aggressively. You need to seek the guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to have a positive chance of a favorable outcome. To schedule a consultation at our Minneapolis office, call us at 612-474-9824 or complete our online contact form. For your convenience, our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.