One question you may ask when planning to attend an upcoming music festival is: What happens if I’m caught with club drugs in Minnesota? The legal consequences of getting busted with drugs at a music festival include an arrest, criminal charges, a fine, and imprisonment. Beyond the legal consequences, a drug crime charge or conviction can lower your chances of securing employment, housing, and student loans. It may also strain your relationships with family, friends, and society.
Knowing the legal and collateral consequences of getting caught with club drugs in Minnesota can help you avoid carrying drugs and other prohibited substances at music festivals. Be sure to involve a drug crime lawyer as soon as possible if you are arrested for drug possession at a music festival.
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we have more than 25 years of experience in defending people facing drug crime charges in Minnesota. We know how the prosecution thinks. We will counter them with strong legal arguments to have your charges dropped or reduced. So, don’t hesitate to call us at (952) 913-1421 if you or a loved one has been busted with club drugs during a music festival.
Table of Contents
Common Club Drug Charges at Minnesota Music Festivals
Attendees arrested with club drugs at Minnesota music festivals may face the following charges:
Possession, Sale, and Distribution
Minnesota classifies controlled substances from Schedule I to Schedule V, with the former being the most serious. Possession is when you’re found with drugs on you. The penalties depend on the schedule under which the drug falls. Getting caught with small quantities is often a misdemeanor, but arrests involving larger quantities are felonies.
If the police establish that you have drugs and intend to make profits, you may face “possession and distribution with the intent to sell” charges. The legal consequences can be dire for larger quantities or a repeat offense.
Drug-Related Assault
You may face drug-related assault charges if you physically assault another individual at a festival because you’re intoxicated. To avoid this, monitor your alcohol intake and avoid circumstances that may provoke a physical confrontation.
DUI/DWI Charges
Most enthusiasts drive to concerts and festivals while intoxicated and leave worse than they came. Driving under the influence of drugs is on the rise. Intoxicated drivers from festivals usually indulge in negligent behavior, such as speeding. Such disregard for traffic laws contributes to catastrophic crashes.
Legal Penalties for Possession of MDMA, LSD, and Other Substances
Most common club drugs have nicknames. They include:
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA, Molly, or Ecstasy
- Ketamine, also known as K or Special K
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as GHB, Liquid Ecstasy, or G
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, also known as LSD or Acid
- Rohypnol (Roofies)
- Methamphetamine also known as Meth, Speed, or Ice.
These synthetic drugs offer a deadly high. Minnesota has been grappling with a drug-related epidemic in recent years. Drug overdose cases are on the rise. For instance, opioid-related overdose deaths increased by 51% from 2020 to 2022.
Minnesota categorizes drug crimes in degrees, from the first to the fifth. All first-to-fifth-degree charges involve possession, distribution, and sales. First-degree crimes are the most serious. They involve large quantities of drugs and carry serious legal consequences. The lower degrees involve smaller quantities in descending order, and the severity of penalties reduces accordingly.
- First-degree charges – If convicted of a first-degree drug crime, you might face up to 30 years in jail and fines of up to $1,000,000.
- Second-degree charges – The penalties for a second-degree drug crime conviction include a 25-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $500,000.
- Third-degree charges – The penalties for third-degree drug crimes include a 20-year jail sentence and a fine of up to $250,000.
- Fourth-degree charges – An individual found in possession, distribution, or sale of controlled substances in the fourth degree may face up to 15 years in prison or up to $100,000 in fines.
- Fifth-degree charges – A fifth-degree drug charge may be a felony or misdemeanor. The legal consequences include a five-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.
Besides prison sentences and fines, drug convictions also carry other hidden consequences. They include loss of firearm possession and voting rights, difficulty finding work and housing, loss of professional license, and deportation for non-citizens. The best way to avoid these consequences is to ensure you don’t get caught with these drugs in Minnesota.
Should You Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer If You Were Caught with Club Drugs?
Facing Minnesota drug possession charges puts your freedom, career, and social standing at risk. Navigating the criminal justice system as a non-lawyer increases your chances of getting convicted. So, be sure to call an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately after you are caught with club drugs.
Your lawyer can push to have your case dismissed or charges reduced under the following circumstances:
Illegal Drug Searches and Seizures
The law only allows law enforcement officers to search and seize drugs if they have probable cause. In other words, they reasonably believe you’ve violated the law. Evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures is inadmissible in court.
Your defense lawyer will examine the search and seizure process to determine if the officers made procedural errors. If so, the lawyer will file a motion to suppress evidence collected through an unlawful search and seizure.
Miranda Rights Violations
When the police arrest you for a drug crime, they are legally mandated to inform you of your Miranda rights. That includes the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation. They must tell you this before you issue a statement. If your lawyer determines that the arresting officers did not inform you of your Miranda rights, the lawyer may persuade the court to disregard everything you said.
Inadequate Evidence
The lawyer can file a motion to dismiss your case if the prosecution lacks enough evidence to prove your drug crime charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Drug crime lawyers can also present mitigation arguments before judges. Having worked on drug-related cases before, they know the words and details to highlight to convince the judge to issue probation instead of a jail term.
At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we have helped people facing drug charges avoid jail sentences and severe penalties. We will listen to your case, investigate further, and use our legal expertise to fight for the best possible outcome. Contact us today to schedule a free case review.
