Arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine in Wyoming?
Drug charges are no joke in Wyoming. Getting caught with even a small amount of illegal narcotics on your person can have serious repercussions in Wyoming courts.
If you are accused of more than just possession, like conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, then you’re facing consequences that will impact your personal and professional life.
Gillette is a small town, and even the suspicion of wrongdoing can follow you for a long time. If you are faced with any sort of meth-related charges, your best approach is to aggressively mount a defense as quickly as possible. An experienced defense attorney should be able to work with you to dismiss or reduce the charges against you before they have a chance to leave a permanent stain on your reputation.
Wyoming Drug Statistics
Wyoming is known nationally for being the leader in DUIs, with the highest rate of drinking and driving related deaths per 100,000 residents. Our state also has its problems with both prescription drugs and banned narcotics. In terms of unintended deaths due to overdose, Wyoming recorded 209 fatalities from 2014-2015.
Much of the drug abuse in Wyoming, as in other states, stems from opiate abuse, often beginning with prescription painkillers. In response, Wyoming officials formed the Rx Abuse Stakeholders (RAS) group, which is dedicated to tracking and reversing the high rate of drug abuse in our state. RAS is working hard to lower the number of addicts by boosting the availability of quality treatment programs.
Unfortunately, their efforts have not been entirely successful. Recent meth-related statistics show that:
- There were 60 meth lab busts in 2002.
- Methamphetamine investigations made up 40% of all drug investigations in 2007.
- Of the total arrests in 2015, 6.5% were meth-related.
- The number of meth-involved arrests increased each year since 2010 and more than doubled during the past three years.
- There were 1,035 meth-involved arrests in 2015.
Wyoming law enforcement has made stopping the meth trade one of their top priorities. Anyone caught with methamphetamine will be dealt with harshly as a result. You shouldn’t count on receiving any lenient treatment.
What’s the Difference Between Possession and Dealing?
When most people think about drug dealers, they imagine a large criminal operation. For instance, police seized 50 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated street value of more than $425,000 following a traffic stop on Interstate 80. No doubt, the perpetrators will be charged as drug dealers.
But in reality, it doesn’t take much to be charged with distribution rather than possession in Wyoming. For a misdemeanor drug possession charge, you must be found with no more than three grams of a controlled substance in powder or crystalline form. Over three grams, and you can then be charged with felony possession. More than that, you may be facing distribution charges.
What Are the Penalties for Drug-Related Convictions in Wyoming?
Anyone found guilty of possessing more than three grams of meth can be punished by imprisonment for up to 7 years, and a fine of up to $15,000. And that’s a first offense. Multiple offenders will face stiffer penalties.
The difference between being charged with a misdemeanor, or being treated like a drug trafficker, could hinge on whether you had 2.9 grams or 3.1 grams of meth in your possession. It may seem unfair, but law enforcement has chosen to prioritize punishing anyone caught with meth.
Even if you were caught with a small amount, the authorities could treat you like a drug kingpin. You can’t leave your defense to chance. After being accused, you must engage a capable defense attorney immediately and aggressively fight any and all charges brought against you.
At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., we offer a skilled defense against drug charges in Gillette and the surrounding areas. Call our firm today at (307) 257-7800 to schedule a free consultation with a caring Gillette meth crime lawyer.
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