The 'intent to distribute' felony charge is often, but not always, inferred by how much marijuana you have. In Wisconsin, get caught with 1,000 grams (just over 2 pounds) of marijuana and you will face a Class G felony (fines up to $25,000, up to 10 years in prison). 200 grams (just over 6 ounces) makes you face a Class H felony (fines up to $10,000, up to 6 years in prison.  'Less than 200 grams' of weed can still get you a Class I felony in Wisconsin. If circumstantial evidence implies an 'intent to distribute <=200 grams', you will face fines up to $10,000 and 3 years 6 months in prison. Attorneys at Grieve Law have seen many cases where 28 grams (1 ounce) of weed faced an 'intent' charge. One client even had under half an ounce. Usually, the smallest 'intent to distribute' charges are based on what you tell the police (related: the only 14 words to say to cops).

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Fines & Penalties for THC possession with intent to distribute in Wisconsin:

Under Wisconsin drug laws, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute/sell is automatically a felony, regardless of the amount of marijuana. The penalties escalate in accordance to the amount of THC found in connection to the drug offense.

• Marijuana Laws in Wisconsin
• Possession with intent charges
• Strategic Defense

1. There is a world of difference between dealing/delivery vs. possession charges.

Any time someone is charged in Wisconsin with a dealing, delivery, or possession with intent to distribute, this always means they are facing a felony charge. Felony charges, regardless of the class of felony, are always extremely serious. You are facing years in prison, possibly tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of fines and penalties, not to mention having the silent “F” attached to every job application, resume, promotion, and interaction with all in-laws in the future. While that may not seem like a big deal right now (but hopefully it does), it is a huge deal!

Numerous studies have come out over the last several decades to show that somebody who has been convicted of a felony will face a far more difficult time getting a job, may make a lot less money than their non-felon counterpart, will earn far less money throughout the course of their career, and suffer from numerous other social and career penalties.

A possession charge is not always “just” a misdemeanor charge. Many drug possession charges can be felonies, including second offense marijuana possession charges. However, there is usually a world of difference between penalties, both now and in the future, of what a narcotics delivery, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, or some other form of drug dealing charge will carry in Wisconsin.

2. Marijuana may become legal in the future, but that probably will not save you from fines & penalties from your drug dealing case now.

Yes, we all know marijuana is becoming legal in some states. We also know that marijuana has a broad social acceptance in many areas, both around the state and country.

However, while many employers, friends, and family may not look at a misdemeanor THC possession very seriously in some cases, they will always view a “drug dealing” charge extremely seriously.

Like it or not, when someone says the words “drug dealer,” different people think different things. And while some people may think of a nice person making some cash on the side, many other people will think there is some kind of gang affiliation or will picture you running around on the streets of Milwaukee loaded with illegal guns and selling to children on playgrounds. There is simply a world of difference between what people think of when they think of somebody who may have been busted with a few joints versus someone who is a “drug dealer.”

You are only a criminal if you are convicted™

3. Expungement laws may not help you.

Wisconsin has an expungement law that means, for the most part, if you were under the age of 25 at the commission of any offense, and you are convicted of any offense that you are not facing more than six years of prison for, then you may be eligible for expungement. The emphasis here in the preceding sentence is “may be eligible for.” Just because you may be eligible before the law does not mean a Judge is going to grant that expungement for you.

Like it or not, drug charges are perceived very differently, not only in the outside world, but also in the criminal justice system. There is an old expression that “users get probation, and dealers get locked up.” Even if your case does not end in any form of incarceration, it just as likely may not end in any kind of expungement. Even if you are convicted of something as a result of tough negotiations with the prosecutor, it is extremely important to deal with any idea the government may have that you are a “drug dealer.”

Your expungement may depend upon it.

4. You could go to jail.

If you have read this far, then by now you should know there is more than simply a possible list of punishments that separate a possession charge from a “drug dealing” crime.

People who are charged with drug dealing offense are usually facing much tougher penalties. They are also facing a far less sympathetic judge, a much more aggressive prosecutor, and far worse punishments as far as the possibility of expungement and job prospects in their future. But as referenced above, it does not end there.

Just because someone may be sentenced to some kind of jail or incarceration does not mean they actually will be. In other words, if you are facing up to one year in jail on a drunk driving third offense, that is no guarantee by any measure that you will actually go to jail for one year. Usually a skilled defense attorney can achieve something other than a maximum sentence outcome. While the same may be true about avoiding a maximum sentence outcome on a drug dealing charge, it is equally true you are far more likely to actually go to jail or prison on a drug dealing charge than on a possession charge. Remember, users get probation and dealers get locked up.

A skilled and experienced defense attorney team will be able to do everything to maximize the chances of both getting the charges dropped and protecting you from the most amounts of penalties. It does not change for one second that if you are facing a drug dealing charge in Wisconsin, you are facing a charge that puts you in an entirely different category of risk of going to jail or prison.

5. A jury might be better for you than a Judge.

Sometimes, depending upon the facts of the case and the background of the defendant, there really may be no choice other than to fight the charge. Maybe the case is just so serious that you are looking at going to prison no matter what if convicted. Other times, maybe you have several mistakes on your record, and we all know the Judge is going to slam you if you are ever convicted. In circumstances like these, there may be no option other than to fight your drug dealing charge in Wisconsin.

 

Could You be Facing a Felony Marijuana Charge in Wisconsin?

It all depends on the severity of the marijuana-related crime, however, a big chunk of "intent to sell" marijuana charges can result in a felony charge stamped on your record. If you hire the right criminal defense attorney you may be able to get out of a maximum penalty.

• Marijuana Possession with Intent to Distribute - If you're facing a Class E Felony charge for Marijuana possession with intent to Distribute, you could be incarcerated for 15 years and face a max fine of $50,000.
• Possession of Schedule I or II narcotics with intent to sell - If you're caught trying to sell schedule I or II narcotics, you'll be facing a class E felony charge that results in $50,000 in fines and at least 15 years in prison.
• Possession of 2.5 to 10kg. of marijuana with intent to sell it - Getting charged with possession of 2.5 to 10kg of marijuana with intent to sell would be seen as a Class F felony in most cases. This type of crime would result in 12 years of prison time and $25,000 in fines (in Wisconsin).
• Possession of 200g or 1kg of marijuana with intent to sell it - Possessing 200g or 1Kg of marijuana in Wisconsin will result in a Class H felony charge. A class H felony in Wisconsin is punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and 6 years in state prison.
• Possession of 200 g. or less of marijuana with intent to sell it - If you're caught possessing 200g or less of marijuana with the intent to sell, you could be facing up to 3.5 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000. This type of crime is typically classified as a Class I Felony.