In Arizona, it is illegal to manufacture prescription or dangerous drugs in this state or to cultivate large amounts of marijuana. You could also face charges for possessing equipment that could be used to manufacture drugs.
If you face criminal charges related to manufacturing or cultivating illegal substances, contact an experienced attorney at Grand Canyon Law Group. A Gilbert drug manufacturing lawyer can fight for the most favorable outcome under the circumstances.
Producing illegal drugs, whether by making them in a lab or growing them, is a crime. However, the severity of the crime and potential punishments depend on the identity of the drug in question. A Gilbert drug crimes attorney could discuss how the state’s complex sentencing structure might work in a specific case.
Adults may grow six marijuana plants for personal use, and households with two or more adults may grow 12 plants. Growing marijuana on a larger scale is illegal and carries a mandatory prison sentence. This offense is always a felony, but the class of felony depends on the quantity that the dried plants would produce. Cultivation of marijuana could be a Class 5 felony with a presumptive sentence of 1.5 years, up to a Class 3 felony with a presumptive sentence of 3.5 years.
According to Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3406 B(3), manufacturing prescription drugs or possessing equipment and chemicals that could be used to manufacture prescription drugs is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The penalties could include three months of probation, up to six months in jail, and fines. In some cases, the crime could be a Class 4 felony.
Under the state’s classification system, Fentanyl and other opioids are narcotics. According to Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3407, methamphetamine, MMDA, and other substances are dangerous drugs. Manufacturing a dangerous drug or narcotic, or possessing the means to do so, is a Class 3 felony in most cases. However, if the drug is methamphetamine, it is a Class 2 felony.
A first offender charged with manufacturing a dangerous drug other than methamphetamine faces a presumptive sentence of 3.5 years in prison but could get probation if the judge finds mitigating circumstances. The maximum sentence could be 8.75 years if the judge finds aggravating circumstances.
Upon a second conviction, a defendant would face a presumptive sentence of 6.5 years. Sentencing ranges from 3.25 to 16.25 years, depending on mitigating or aggravating circumstances. An individual with three or more convictions faces a sentence of 7.5 to 25 years in prison, with a presumptive sentence of 11.25 years. A skilled attorney fights to help a defendant avoid a drug manufacturing conviction or mitigate the potential penalties.
If the defendant allegedly manufactured any quantity of methamphetamine, the crime is a Class 2 felony. The penalties for a Class 2 felony are a minimum of five years in prison for a first offender with mitigating circumstances and up to 15 years in prison. The person is not eligible for probation. When the stakes are this high, it is crucial for those facing drug manufacturing charges in Gilbert to work with a dedicated attorney.
An experienced lawyer at our firm always reviews the police activity surrounding a drug manufacturing investigation and arrest. If the police conducted illegal surveillance, depended on an unreliable confidential informant, or did not have a proper search warrant, a court could dismiss charges or suppress evidence the police obtained illegally.
Our skilled attorneys could also question the reliability of the prosecution’s evidence regarding the identity and quantity of the substance and any chemicals they allege could be used in drug manufacturing. There could be legal explanations for the chemicals and equipment. Our seasoned Gilbert lawyers could examine the evidence and formulate the best defense possible against the drug cultivation charges.
Drug cultivation or manufacturing is a significant charge that sometimes requires mandatory prison time. Do not leave your defense in the hands of the wrong attorney.
No matter the details of your case, a Gilbert drug manufacturing lawyer at Grand Canyon Law Group is prepared to present a vigorous defense. Call today to speak with an aggressive defense attorney and get the representation you need.