Drug Crime Defense

Drug charges in Wisconsin carry severe consequences — including mandatory minimum sentences, felony records that follow you for life, and collateral damage to your employment, housing, and education. Whether you were stopped with a small amount of marijuana or are facing serious distribution allegations, Minerva Defense provides aggressive, thorough defense to protect your future.

Drug Charges We Defend

• Simple Possession — Possession of a controlled substance for personal use (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription drugs without a valid prescription)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver — Based on quantity, packaging, scales, cash, and other circumstantial evidence
• Drug Distribution / Delivery — Sale or delivery of controlled substances
• Drug Manufacturing — Production or cultivation of controlled substances, including methamphetamine labs and marijuana grow operations
• Drug Paraphernalia — Possession of items used for drug consumption, storage, or distribution
• Prescription Drug Offenses — Forged prescriptions, doctor shopping, illegal distribution of prescription medications
• Drug Conspiracy — Agreement to commit drug offenses, even without completing the act

Wisconsin Drug Penalties

Wisconsin classifies drug offenses based on the type and quantity of substance, prior offenses, and whether there are aggravating factors (near a school, involving minors, etc.):

Charge	Classification	Potential Penalty
Marijuana Possession (1st)	Misdemeanor	Up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine
Marijuana Possession (2nd+)	Class I Felony	Up to 3.5 years prison, $10,000 fine
Cocaine/Heroin Possession	Class I Felony	Up to 3.5 years prison, $10,000 fine
Possession w/ Intent — THC	Class I Felony	Up to 3.5 years prison, $10,000 fine
Possession w/ Intent — Cocaine/Heroin	Class E–G Felony	Up to 15 years prison, $50,000 fine
Manufacturing Methamphetamine	Class D–E Felony	Up to 25 years prison, $100,000 fine

Our Drug Crime Defense Strategies

Challenging Illegal Searches

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. Many drug cases begin with a traffic stop, a home search, or a person search. If police lacked probable cause or a valid warrant, the evidence they found may be suppressed — often resulting in dismissed charges. We meticulously review the circumstances of every search.

Disputing "Intent to Deliver"

Prosecutors often upgrade simple possession to "possession with intent to deliver" based on quantity, packaging, or the presence of scales and cash. These factors are circumstantial and can be challenged. We fight to ensure you're not charged with more than the evidence actually supports.

Questioning Lab Results

Substances must be properly tested and identified. We challenge lab procedures, chain of custody, and the qualifications of analysts. Sometimes what police assume is a controlled substance turns out to be something else entirely.

Confidential Informant Issues

Many drug cases rely on confidential informants who have their own motivations — reduced charges, payment, or personal grudges. We investigate informant reliability and challenge their credibility.

Diversion & Treatment Alternatives

For eligible clients, we pursue drug treatment court, deferred prosecution agreements, and other alternatives that can keep a felony conviction off your record. Wisconsin offers several diversion programs, and we know how to position your case for the best available outcome.