Certain drugs have been decriminalized in some states, but that’s not the case in Minnesota. Being caught possessing any drug leaves a person open to being charged with a drug crime and facing hefty penalties. Furthermore, the penalties for a drug crime may worsen due to aggravating factors. Understanding these aggravating factors is important when facing drug crime charges to better build a defense strategy.
Drug charges, whether misdemeanor or felony, carry heavy consequences that can stick with a person for the rest of their life. Facing criminal charges may be scary and confusing. At a minimum, you’re facing fines and probation, and you could face many years in prison. At Knutson + Casey, we are determined to help our clients reach favorable resolutions that benefit their best interests.
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Aggravating factors negatively impact drug charges. Their presence often means more severe penalties. Drug possession crimes are serious on their own, but if an aggravating factor is identified, then the accused faces much harsher penalties.
Drug crimes in Minnesota are serious, and are even more serious if there are aggravating factors present in a case. This is why it’s important to contact an experienced attorney to help guide you through the process and help you develop a strong defense.
Aggravating factors are circumstances surrounding a crime that are sufficient to raise its severity and punishment to the aggravated version of the offense. Aggravating factors are generally laid out by statute and vary depending on the jurisdiction and specific underlying offense. In Minnesota, aggravating factors in drug charges include:
The above is not a complete list of aggravating factors, just a few that may affect a drug charge. When included in a drug case, aggravating factors increase the severity of the penalties the accused will face.
We all make mistakes. At Knutson + Casey, we believe that everyone has the right to a passionate and skilled defense attorney, no matter the charges. Our firm has worked on criminal cases of all kinds and have handled various drug crime cases. Though a dismissal can’t be promised, we can promise to exhaust our resources to fight aggressively for your rights.
Drug charges may have hefty penalties, especially when paired with aggravating factors, so it’s necessary to have an experienced attorney at your side. We have helped thousands of clients across Southern Minnesota, and we hope to help you, too. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation by calling (507) 344-8888 or completing our contact form.
Knutson and Casey Expert Legal Team
January 9, 2023
At Knutson+Casey, we take the time to understand each distinctive matter presented to us by a client in need of assistance. We make certain that our clients understand their options and can make informed decisions regarding the progress of their cases. We have 4 bar certified attorneys as well as 5 expert paralegals on staff to review all legal information and cases presented.