What Happens When You Get Charged with Illegal Manufacture of a Controlled Substance in Minnesota?
When you are charged with the illegal manufacture of a controlled substance in Minnesota, you are facing consequences that could alter the course of your life forever. You could face months navigating the legal system before your case is ultimately decided.
The process can be difficult, especially if you face these charges on your own. If you rely on the guidance of a criminal defense attorney, you could have a better picture of what to expect during the course of your criminal case.
Do not face charges of illegal manufacture of a controlled substance on your own. The attorneys of Gerald Miller are ready to assist you with your defense. Reach out right away to discuss your options.
You are Arraigned Before a Judge
At the first hearing in your case, called an arraignment, you may have the chance to request bail if you were arrested. You will also have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. An attorney can be present at this hearing to argue for your release before trial. In some instances, an attorney may also be able to attend the arraignment on your behalf. However, for severe charges like selling a controlled substance in the first degree, it’s likely that you will remain in custody until the hearing.
You Could Be Required to Stay in Jail Pending Trial in Minnesota
You have the right to a hearing to set your bail amount according to state law. This typically occurs during your arraignment, however, the issue of bail could be raised at multiple points in a criminal case. What that means for you is that you might be forced to remain behind bars as your case winds its way through the court system.
The severing of the charges against you will play an important role in determining if you are allowed to go free pending trial. The same is true for other important details, like your criminal record or your ability to comply with court orders. This issue could be taken up later on in your case even if you cannot afford bail right away.
You Can Expect Other Court Hearings in Minnesota
It may take some time for your case to be resolved as it moves through the court system. Along the way, you will likely have several hearings in front of a judge. These hearings may include updates on the case’s progress, as well as important matters such as disputes over evidence or motions to dismiss the charges against you.
Your attorney can represent you in simple hearings, such as status hearings, without you needing to be present. However, it’s likely that you’ll need to attend some hearings including those related to motions. This is especially true if you are expected to testify. Hiring an attorney can significantly reduce the time and commitment required when facing criminal charges.
You Could Receive a Plea Offer
Even though these charges are serious, the chances are good that you will be offered a plea bargain in your manufacture of a controlled substance case. In fact, prosecutors frequently offer plea bargains in these cases. That is why most illegal manufacturing cases never end up going to trial.
The decision to accept a plea bargain depends on your specific situation. In some cases, going to trial may be the best option if the evidence against you is weak or the state’s settlement offer is unreasonable. However, if the state’s case is strong, a plea bargain may be in your best interest. It is important to work with an attorney to negotiate the best terms possible.
While most would prefer to avoid pleading guilty to any crime, there are many situations where a strong settlement offer is the best-case scenario. Our firm is ready to help you evaluate the offer made by the state and potentially negotiate for better terms.
You Have the Chance to Build a Defense in Minnesota
Before your case ever goes to trial, you will have the opportunity to build a defense against the charges you face. Not every defense strategy will be the same, as the facts will largely determine your best strategic options. Our firm could help you understand your possible defense options and execute that strategy throughout your case.
Entrapment
Entrapment is a rarely-used affirmative defense that may be available in certain criminal cases. This strategy is often viable in the manufacturing of a controlled substance case. Entrapment happens when law enforcement, such as undercover officers, coerces an individual into committing a crime they otherwise would not have committed. The defense must prove that the individual only committed the crime because of the pressure exerted by law enforcement.
Lack of Evidence
An effective defense strategy can involve emphasizing the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. The burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, so your attorney may focus on pointing out where they have failed to meet this high standard. You could focus your defense on the lack of evidence against you instead of focusing on other defenses. After all, there is no need for you to prove your innocence in criminal court.
Illegal Search and Seizure
Police searches frequently turn up critical evidence in the illegal manufacture of controlled substance cases. This could include anything from transaction records to controlled substances. However, there are strict limitations on how the police can search for or seize evidence in a drug manufacturing case.
If the police violate your constitutional rights while searching your property or person, you could have a viable defense on your hands. Your attorney could pursue a motion to dismiss the charges against you if they are successful in having evidence in your case thrown out.
You Charges Could Be Dismissed
If the defense strategy that you build is strong enough, your attorney might be able to have the charges against you dismissed. Motions to dismiss are common in criminal cases, although there is no guarantee the judge will agree to dismiss your case. Securing this outcome requires a strong legal claim that you were wrongfully charged or should not be convicted.
In some cases, your attorney might be able to secure the dismissal of your charges before your case ever goes to trial. The prosecution might not be willing to go out of their way to dismiss your charges, but they could be persuaded if your attorney could show that the state is unlikely to secure a conviction.
The attorneys of Gerald Miller have had success with securing dismissal in major drug-related charges. Before you accept a plea or attempt to act as your own attorney, you could benefit from discussing your case with our firm.
You Could Prevail at Trial
Most drug-related charges in Minnesota ultimately never go to trial. These cases are frequently resolved through a guilty plea following negotiations between the state and defense counsel. Other cases come to an end after the dismissal of all charges. For everyone else, illegal manufacture of controlled substance charges is ultimately resolved at trial.
Whether or not your case goes to trial is entirely up to you. No one can force you to take a plea bargain, and you have the right to make your case before a jury of your peers. If you are successful at trial, you could secure an acquittal and avoid any criminal conviction on your record.
This outcome is a best-case scenario, as you can never be tried again for the same crime. While this outcome might be ideal, going to trial can be stressful and the outcome is never guaranteed. Even when you feel strongly about your odds, there is always the possibility that you could be convicted.
Talk to Gerald Miller About Your Charges
One of the things that will happen after you are arrested under suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance is that you will have the chance to hire an attorney. Having a defense attorney by your side could provide you with your best chance at securing an acquittal.
If you have been arrested for drug crimes in Minnesota, the attorneys of Gerald Miller are ready to help. Contact the attorneys of Gerald Miller as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation.
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