Drug Crimes / Drug Distribution Defense

Protect Your Rights for Drug-Related Crimes in Utah

Drug distribution charges or charges of possession with the intent to distribute come with life-altering consequences that can ruin your social, family, and work relations. The first thing you need to consider when you are facing these charges is choosing the right criminal defense attorney. You need an expert attorney who knows your rights and knows drug distribution law. Don’t hesitate when your future is at stake.

Contact Wasatch Defense Attorneys today at 801.980.9965. Drug distributions defense lawyers with proven experience.

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Drug Distribution Penalties

If you were caught with a large amount of illegal or controlled substances, or if you were caught sharing prescribed medication, you can face drug distribution charges. While any form of drug-related crime in Utah is typically punished harshly, distribution charges are the worst to face because you could be facing prison time of up to twenty years. Depending on the situation, you could even be facing a sentence of life in prison.

The problem is that drug distribution charges multiply the penalties you would face if you were being charged with just possession of an illegal substance. For example, possession of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, which means you can only be fined up to $1,000 and serve no more than 6 months in jail. However, marijuana distribution or possession with the intent to distribute is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

What most people think of when it comes to the distribution of drugs is a person selling drugs on the street like crack cocaine or heroin—stuff that is completely and understandably illegal. However, according to U.S. law, even sharing a prescription drug such as Adderall with a friend can be classified as drug distribution. It’s even a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years prison and $10,000 in fines. If the offense occurs in a drug-free zone, the charge can be enhanced to a first-degree felony, which comes with a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum of up to life as well as up to $10,000 in fines.

When Possession Becomes Intent to Distribute

When a person is caught with a large amount of a controlled substance, an amount considered too large to be only for personal use, that is sometimes enough to increase the charge from possession to intent to distribute. In this situation, the likelihood of false accusations increases because of the opinionated nature of the charge. If you have been charged with distribution of or the intent to distribute drugs, it is important to speak with an experienced drug defense attorney as soon as possible to make sure the charge is fair.