St. Paul Drug Sales Lawyer
Fighting Accusations of Drug Dealing and Selling in Dakota County and Washington County
The latest penalties (revised in 2016) for selling controlled substances in Minnesota are severe.
If you were accused, call our St. Paul drug dealing and selling attorneys at Rogosheske, Rogosheske & Atkins, PLLC at (651) 413-9004 today.
What Sets Us Apart
Our team of skilled and understanding professionals proudly provides comprehensive and efficient services for all Clients.
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Serving St. Paul Since 1948
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Over 50 Years of Collective Experience
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Tens of Thousands of People Helped
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Hundreds of Jury Trials Handled
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Highly Involved in the Local Legal Community
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Prepare Every Case for Trial
1st Degreee Sales of Drugs in MN
Selling in the first degree means, within a 90-day period, selling:
- A combined weight of 10 grams or more of cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine
- A combined weight of 50 grams or more containing a narcotic drug other than cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine
- A combined weight of 50 kilograms of amphetamine, phencyclidine, or hallucinogen
- 200 or more dosage units of amphetamine, phencyclidine, or hallucinogen
- A combined weight of 50 kilograms of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol
- A combined weight of 25 kilograms of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol in a school zone, a park zone, a public housing zone, or a drug treatment facility
- Manufacturing any amount of methamphetamine
- when the seller or accomplice brandishes, displays or threatens with a gun
Anyone convicted of first-degree controlled dangerous substance (CDS) sales could receive up to 30 years in prison with a 4 year minimum for a prior drug felony conviction, plus a fine up to $1 million.
2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Degree Drug Sales in MN
Selling in the second, third, fourth, or fifth degrees has to do with graduated smaller amounts. Lesser degrees of violation mean shorter jail times and smaller financial penalties. The smallest penalty for selling in the fifth degree is imprisonment for not more than 5 years or fines of not more than $10,000 or both.
The Social Issue of Drug Sales / Dealing
Heroin and methamphetamine continue to dominate the drug abuse landscape in Minnesota cities. Prosecution of drug sales is complex and expensive because the vast majority of it takes place as a part of organized crime. Independent “entrepreneurs” who are most easily prosecuted are a relatively small proportion. Most of the sales of the CDS in Minnesota cities are by Mexican drug trafficking organizations, as well as street gangs, and other criminal organizations. Drugs travel into the state concealed in commercial trucks as well as private vehicles.
Illegal synthetic drugs are also sold online. Commercial CDS online operations account for a small percentage of CDS sales, but the online operations are growing nationally from an estimated $16 million in sales to $170 million over just three years (2012 to 2015). The share of users who buy CDS online has more than doubled over two years. These online drug sales in Minnesota are part of “the dark web,” accessible through underground browsers like Tor. Minnesota is especially vulnerable to online drug sales because it is a state whose people are more connected to the internet than others. Buyers and sellers connect through underground email providers like Sigaint.
Online drug sales are protected by layers of encryption. Payments are made in bitcoin, which stay in escrow until drugs are packed in vacuum-sealed under high security, and shipped from a variety of postal addresses with printed labels. Smart buyers use the address of “an inattentive or absent neighbor” and never sign for the package.
Defense Strategies for Drug Selling & Dealing Cases in MN
Because of the social damage that drug abuse is causing in Minnesota, the police are aggressively cracking down on people accused of selling drugs. Once a citizen is accused, prosecutors are very aggressive in their efforts to get convictions. Often the legal rights and protections for the accused are pushed aside. Yet the penalties are severe. A conviction can be a life-changer with long prison terms, crippling fines, and legal blockages to future career and education. Anyone accused of drug dealing crimes in Minnesota needs a strong and attentive defense.
If the police are careless and violate the defendant’s rights in the collection of evidence, the defense may be to have illegally obtained evidence kept from the trial. The Fifth Amendment to the constitution allows defendants the right not to testify against themselves. This includes being correctly informed of their rights under the law, and protection against coercion.
Good legal defense may bring special circumstances to bear in the determination of sentences. Drug courts combine criminal elements with treatment models since addiction and associated drug activities may be criminal but under particular medical and social duress. Agreements between parties of the court may be important in emphasizing treatment over criminal punishment.
Rogosheske, Rogosheske & Atkins, PLLC has practiced law in Minnesota for over 50 combined years. Our experience in criminal and civil law throughout the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin can help in fighting your charges. Please contact us at (651) 413-9004 to learn more.
