Felony Drug Charges

Wyoming has strict laws prohibiting the possession, sale, manufacture, and distribution of controlled substances. In many cases, unlawful possession of a controlled substance is a felony, punishable by more than a year in prison and fines of more than $1,000. If you are charged with possessing a large quantity of a controlled substance, you could face charges for possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

If you are facing charges for felony possession of drugs in Wyoming, you need an experienced criminal defense team on your side. The team at Just Criminal Law has decades of experience successfully defending people accused of drug crimes in Wyoming. We will investigate the charges, help you evaluate your options, and mount a vigorous legal defense.

Wyoming Classifies Drug Crimes According to the Type and Quantity of Drugs in Your Possession

Wyoming drug crimes are governed by the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act. These statutes classify drugs according to a schedule. Schedule I controlled substances have no accepted medical use, are unsafe, and have a high potential for abuse. Schedule I controlled substances include drugs like heroin, LSD, marijuana, peyote, and ecstasy.

Drugs classified as Schedule II through V have some medicinal use and can be prescribed at therapeutic levels to help people.

The type and severity of the drug charges you face will depend on the nature of the controlled substance (i.e., what Schedule it is classified as) and the amount of drugs in your possession. If you are alleged to have been in possession of a large amount of drugs, you could be facing charges for felony possession with intent to distribute, also known as drug trafficking.

Charges of drug trafficking are much more serious than charges for simple possession and carry even more severe penalties.

Defending Against Felony Drug Charges

The consequences of a conviction for felony possession of drugs are severe. If you are convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance, you face the following penalties:

• Schedule I or Schedule II narcotics or methamphetamine: a fine of up to $2,500, up to 20 years in prison, or both
• All other Schedule I, Schedule II, or Schedule III drugs: a fine of up to $10,000, up to 10 years in prison, or both
• Schedule IV substance: a fine of up to $2,5000, up to two years in prison, or both
• Schedule V substances: a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both

But with assistance from our team of skilled and experienced criminal defense professionals, you can defend yourself against the charges and seek to have the case dismissed or the charges and penalties reduced.

How a Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Can Help

At Just Criminal Law, our experienced criminal defense team will evaluate your situation, explain your options, and mount a vigorous defense to position you for success. In some cases, a plea bargain may be the best strategy. But in others, the only option is a vigorous defense at trial.

Some of the factual and legal issues our team will explore include:

• Did the police have probable cause?
• Was the arrest lawful?
• Did the police follow proper procedures when testing the drugs?
• Did you intend to sell the drugs, or were they for personal use?
• If multiple people were present, were the drugs yours, and did you know they were there?
• Do you qualify for a treatment program?
• Are you eligible for diversion?

The consequences of a conviction for felony possession of drugs are severe. In addition to fines and jail time, you will have a permanent criminal record, which can make it more difficult to get a job, be accepted into school, or rent an apartment. A felony drug crime conviction can also affect your immigration status or a professional license.

Contact the Defense Team at Just Criminal Law Today

If you have been charged with felony possession of drugs in Wyoming, Just Criminal Law can help. We will independently investigate the circumstances that led to your arrest, challenge the evidence in court, and fight to protect your rights.

We invite you to learn more about us and the communities we serve and to contact us today to schedule your personalized case review and strategy session.

Just Criminal Law is based in Gillette, Wyoming, and proudly serves people accused of drug crimes in Eastern Wyoming and Western South Dakota.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is offered for educational purposes only. This information is not offered as legal advice. A person accused of a crime should always consult with an attorney before making decisions that have legal consequences.