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A Class I felony conviction for maintaining a drug house in Glendale, Wisconsin, would have a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison, a $25,000 fine or both. Drug house charges are often combined with other drug-related charges, depending on the circumstances.
Charges for Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place or Keeping a Drug House: Felony & Misdemeanor
Misdemeanor drug charges are frequently paired with maintaining a drug trafficking place. Altogether, the combination of drug charges and trafficking charges carries a high risk of jail time.
Penalties for Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place
The maximum penalty for a first offense is 1 year in jail and/or a $25,000 fine. While at first, a year in jail may not seem that extreme, these charges are commonly combined with other charges which will lead to more severe penalties.
Penalties can vary based upon the amount and type of substance. Below, you can see the penalties based on the type and amount of illegal substance in possession:
| Amount | Penalty | Max. Incarceration | Max. Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 grams or less / 4 plants or less | Class I Felony | 3.5 years | $10,000 |
| 200-1,000 grams / 4-20 plants | Class H Felony | 6 years | $25,000 |
| 1,000-2,500 grams / 20-50 plants | Class G Felony | 10 years | $25,000 |
| 2,500-10,000 grams / 50-200 plants | Class F Felony | 12.5 years | $25,000 |
| More than 10,000 grams / More than 200 plants | Class E Felony | 15 years | $50,000 |
| Amount | Penalty | Max. Incarceration | Max. Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gram or less | Class G Felony | 10 years | $25,000 |
| 1-5 grams | Class F Felony | 12.5 years | $25,000 |
| 5-15 grams | Class E Felony | 15 years | $50,000 |
| 15-40 grams | Class D Felony | 25 years | $100,000 |
| More than 40 grams | Class C Felony | 40 years | $100,000 |
| Amount | Penalty | Max. Incarceration | Max. Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 grams or less | Class F Felony | 12.5 years | $25,000 |
| 3-10 grams | Class E Felony | 15 years | $50,000 |
| 10-50 grams | Class D Felony | 25 years | $100,000 |
| More than 50 grams | Class C Felony | 40 years | $100,000 |
| Amount | Penalty | Max. Incarceration | Max. Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-10 grams | Class E Felony | 15 years | $50,000 |
| 10-50 grams | Class D Felony | 25 years | $100,000 |
| More than 50 grams | Class C Felony | 40 years | $100,000 |
If you or someone you know has been charged with drug possession or intent to distribute an illegal substance, contact our team of criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation. The sooner an attorney is involved with your case, the better the chance at the charges being reduced or dropped.
If you have been charged with a crime, there is only so much online research is going to get you. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys today.
Drug Trafficking Place Defense Attorney in the North Shore
North Shore and Milwaukee County Criminal Defense Attorneys for Possession with Intent to Sell a Controlled Substance
Maintaining a Drug House for Purposes of Distributing or Using Controlled Substances is a Crime
It is a common misconception with people that have the thought “this is my home; they can’t get me here!” However, even if it is your home, if you are using it to store or make illegal drugs, you are wrong.
Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place as Defined in Wisconsin
Regardless if you are storing or manufacturing illegal drugs for sale or for personal use, a conviction of maintaining a drug trafficking place will surely land you in prison.
Wisconsin State Statute Section 961.42 is the governing law on keeping a drug house. In Wisconsin, the courts view this charge as a Class I felony.
When accused of maintaining a drug house, hiring an experienced attorney in Wisconsin should be the first step in defending your case.
In Wisconsin, on top of the felony charge, there are two misdemeanor charges for keeping a drug house. One of the misdemeanor charges applies when the place is solely for using drugs. The other misdemeanor is used for a place that is manufacturing, storing, or delivering those illegal substances. Both “place” is defined similarly:
- The accused kept and/or maintained a building or place
- People used illegal substance in the building or place OR the building or place was used to manufacture, store, or deliver illegal substances
- The accused knew the building or place was being used this way
How long will a drug trafficking place charge stay on my record?
A conviction of maintaining a trafficking place will likely remain on an individual’s record forever. There are limited situations where an individual is eligible for expunction from the Court or a pardon from the Governor. However, these processes of record removal are very uncommon in Wisconsin.
How to beat a drug trafficking charge in Glendale
The best and common defense for trafficking charges is challenging the evidence the police got from any search and seizure. Police require probable cause before they are legally allowed to search you, your vehicle, your home, or anywhere else. If the North Shore drug defense attorneys can prove the police did not have the requisite probable cause, any evidence illegally must be thrown out.
If you have been caught with drugs, it is important to act immediately. Call our firm to set up a free consultation to explore your options. Our attorneys will examine your unique situation and discuss what options you may have. Keep in mind: you are only guilty if you are convicted. Since opening in 2013, Grieve Law is one of the most awarded criminal defensed attorneys in Wisconsin. Tom Grieve has significantly reduced or dropped numerous penalties from drug possession, intent to distribute and 1st offense drunk driving charges.
