Des Moines Drug Crime Lawyer

Do I Need a Des Moines Drug Crime Lawyer?

Those facing drug charges have a lot at stake. You cannot risk fighting these charges on your own. Our skilled Des Moines criminal defense attorneys have successfully handled countless drug charges on behalf of our clients in the best, and we are ready to fight for you as well.

Penalties for Marijuana Possession in Iowa

Though much of the country has legalized marijuana possession for recreational use, this is not yet the case in Iowa. The penalties for marijuana possession in Iowa are as follows:

• First Offense (Any amount): A misdemeanor, warranting up to six months of incarceration and a potential $1,000 fine.
• Second Offense (Any amount, and only if the prior offense was solely for possession of marijuana): A misdemeanor, warranting up to one year of incarceration and a potential $1,875 fine.
• Third Offense (Any amount, and only if the prior offenses were solely for possession of marijuana): A misdemeanor, warranting up to two years of incarceration and a potential $6,250 fine.

Penalties for Marijuana Possession With Intent to Deliver

Though the penalties for marijuana possession are harsh, penalties for the cultivation or distribution of marijuana are even severer. They are as follows:

• 50 kg or less of marijuana: A Class D felony, warranting up to five years of incarceration and a potential $10,245 fine.
• Between 50-100 kg of marijuana: A Class C felony, warranting up to 10 years of incarceration and a potential $50,000 fine.
• Between 100-1,000 kg of marijuana: A Class B felony, warranting up to 25 years of incarceration and a potential $100,000 fine.
• More than 1,000 kg of marijuana: A Special Class B felony, warranting up to 50 years of incarceration and a potential $1,000,000 fine.

Penalties for the Possession of a Controlled Substance

If you are caught in possession of Crack, Cocaine, PCP, Heroin, or Methamphetamine, you will face the following consequences, depending on the physical amount of the drug you were caught with:

• First Offense: Serious misdemeanor, which warrants a potential $430 -$2,560 fine and potential jail time.
• Second Offense: Aggravated misdemeanor, which warrants a potential $855-$8,540 fine and potential jail time.
• Third Offense: A Class D felony, which warrants a potential $1,025-$10,245 fine and potential jail time.

Penalties for the Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver

If you are caught with the intent to sell a controlled substance, you will most likely face even harsher penalties. Generally, the greater the amount of the drug you are caught with--and the type of drug you were caught with--the harsher the penalties you will face. Potential penalties for the intent to deliver a controlled substance in Iowa are as follows:

• A Class D felony, warranting up to five years of incarceration and a potential $10,245 fine.
• A Class C felony, warranting up to 10 years of incarceration and a potential $50,000 fine.
• A Class B felony, warranting up to 25 years of incarceration and a potential $100,000 fine.
• A Special Class B felony, warranting up to 50 years of incarceration and a potential $1,000,000 fine.

Contact a Des Moines Drug Crime Lawyer

The bottom line is that drug charges can have very serious impacts on a person, however, there are a variety of potential defenses available to you, and our firm is ready to analyze your situation and determine the best path going forward. Contact Herting Law, PLLC today to schedule your initial consultation with our firm.