Reichert Law Office
Serving North Dakota and Minnesota

Call Us 24/7 At: 701-314-2203

Reichert Law Office
Serving North Dakota and Minnesota
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Fighting passionately to make your side of the story known.

Experienced Representation Against Drug Charges

Drug possession, trafficking and manufacturing charges are all serious crimes with lasting consequences. Even though Minnesota has legalized recreational marijuana and North Dakota allows medicinal marijuana, that does not mean that this substance is immune from charges. Whether you are facing charges for marijuana or other drugs, you need to be sure your criminal defense attorney is up to the task of defending you.

At Reichert Law Office, we have been representing clients throughout North Dakota and Northern Minnesota for over 25 years. We have defended clients from all degrees of criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to capital offenses and life sentences, and have even stood before the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, it is time for us to defend your rights, future and freedom from your drug charges.

We Take Every Case Seriously

The severity of drug charges can quickly escalate depending on the circumstances of the arrest. For example, possession charges can turn into possession with intent to distribute if you are carrying a particular substance over a certain limit, or can qualify as felony trafficking charges if you cross state lines with an illegal substance.

Our defense lawyers are fluent in the drug laws of North Dakota and Minnesota, and we are prepared to build a defense against your charges. Whether you are facing misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession or felony charges for manufacturing methamphetamine, we can help you.

Our attorneys have taken on significant trafficking charges to “low level” possession charges and everything in between, and our experience can be the winning advantage in beating your charges, reducing your sentencing or maximizing a plea deal, whatever it takes to earn the outcome you deserve.

Which Drugs Are Illegal In North Dakota And Minnesota?

Drug laws in North Dakota and Minnesota can trip you up if you are not careful. Below is a rundown of which drugs are illegal in these states:

  • Marijuana: Legal for recreational use in Minnesota (up to 1.5 ounces), but remains banned in North Dakota with exception to medicinal use with a doctor’s note.
  • Cocaine: No gray area – flat-out illegal in both states.
  • Methamphetamine: Fully banned across the board.
  • Heroin: Zero tolerance in North Dakota and Minnesota.
  • Prescription pills (like OxyContin or Xanax): Illegal without a valid prescription in both states.
  • LSD: Not allowed, no exceptions.

Knowing what is off-limits matters is critical when you are facing charges in order to protect your legal rights.

What Are The Penalties For Drug Crimes In North Dakota And Minnesota?

Penalties vary by substance type, quantity and intent. Below is a general overview:

  • Possession: In Minnesota, small amounts of marijuana may result in fines. Other substances often lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on weight. While in North Dakota, any marijuana possession without a medical card is a misdemeanor. Possession of other drugs can escalate to felonies, even for minor quantities.
  • Distribution: Both states impose harsher penalties for selling near schools or to minors. Minnesota may charge distribution as a felony based on substance type (for example, methamphetamine). North Dakota applies mandatory minimum sentences for larger quantities.
  • Manufacturing: Producing drugs like methamphetamine or cultivating marijuana in North Dakota results in felony charges. Minnesota imposes stricter penalties for labs posing public health risks.
  • Trafficking: Crossing state lines or possessing large quantities can trigger federal charges. North Dakota enforces longer prison terms for trafficking opioids, while Minnesota prioritizes prosecuting fentanyl-related cases.

North Dakota tends to lean stricter on possession, while Minnesota escalates faster for trafficking. Either way, the more you have, the worse it gets.

How Are Drugs Scheduled In North Dakota?

North Dakota categorizes drugs into five schedules, mirroring federal guidelines. Penalties depend on a substance’s schedule:

  • Schedule I: High abuse risk, no medical use (heroin, LSD, marijuana).
  • Schedule II: Accepted medical use but high addiction potential (cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone).
  • Schedule III: Moderate abuse risk (anabolic steroids, ketamine).
  • Schedule IV: Low abuse risk (Xanax, Valium).
  • Schedule V: Minimal abuse risk, often containing limited narcotics (cough syrups with codeine).

Your charge depends on where your drug lands. We know these laws inside out and use them to fight for you.

Your Defense Starts Here

If you are facing drug charges or think you will be soon, now is the best time to contact our Grand Forks office for your free initial consultation. Call us at 701-314-2203 or email us here to meet with us today.