POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO SELL/DISTRIBUTE
Based in Salt Lake City and representing clients throughout Utah, Intermountain Legal is a criminal defense practice with extensive experience handling a range of drug-related charges, including drug possession with intent to distribute or sell.
Facing Drug Distribution Charges in Utah
Utah's drug distribution laws penalize the selling, transportation, and illegal import into the State of unlawful controlled substances. While these laws are designed to severely punish professional drug dealers and repeat offenders, too often law enforcement officers target individual users, so that even nonviolent offenders face the harsh consequences of a distribution conviction.
If you have a quantity of a controlled substance that the State thinks exceeds the amount that one person can consume, you can be charged with intent to distribute or sell even if there is no other evidence of distribution. Law enforcement and/or the prosecutor handling the case have complete discretion in determining the amount of drugs that elevates the charge from simple possession to distribution. This means that possession of the same amount of drugs can result in a mere possession charge for one person and a serious distribution charge for another.
Penalties for Possession with Intent to Distribute or Sell
In Utah, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute or sell is generally charged as a second degree felony, carrying a possible prison term of one to 15 years and up to $10,000 in fines. The exception is possession of marijuana with intent to distribute or sell, which is categorized as a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and as much as $5,000 in fines. Sale in the presence of a minor or sale within 1,000 feet of a school, public park, amusement park, recreation center, church, synagogue, shopping mall, sports facility, theater, or public parking lot increases the level of the offense to the next highest degree. You can be charged with a school zone violation even if you did not intend to distribute in that area.
At Intermountain Legal, we have specific experience with defense of drug distribution crimes, and will work tirelessly to achieve a successful outcome for you. In some cases, we can negotiate with the prosecution to eliminate the distribution offense, so that you only face a misdemeanor possession charge. In other situations, arrest procedure violations, such as improper searches and seizures, may lead to outright dismissal of all charges.
Seek Experienced, Knowledgeable Defense Representation
If you are charged with intent to distribute drugs, drug dealing, or selling, you need effective defense representation to contest the charges against you and minimize the consequences of a drug-related arrest. Contact Intermountain Legal in Salt Lake City for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and evaluate your options.
