Drug crimes are serious in Wisconsin – particularly those that involve drug dealing. Milwaukee has its share of drug users and drug dealers, and the police frequently run sting operations to catch people in the act.
What if You’re Busted for Drug Dealing in Milwaukee?
According to Wisconsin law, “controlled dangerous substances” include a huge range of drugs, from synthetic opiates to hallucinogenic drugs. Even within the controlled substance list, they’re broken down by schedules according to how addictive they are, how dangerous they are to users and others, and whether they’re medically useful in some instances.
In Wisconsin, it’s illegal to make or sell controlled substances; it’s also illegal to possess them with the intent to make or sell them.
But once police swoop in and arrest you, what happens?
After Being Arrested for Drug Dealing in Milwaukee
The first thing that will happen is that you’ll be taken to jail by the police who arrested you. You’ll be booked, which means you’ll have your picture taken and your fingerprints will be inked or scanned. You’ll probably be put in a holding cell to await bail or to wait to see the judge for an arraignment.
In the meantime, police may ask you several questions to determine how to proceed. Even if you are innocent, you don’t have to answer their questions. You have the right to wait for your attorney to be present before you agree to talk to investigators, so use it.
Remember, police are trying to trip you up. They want you to confess to dealing drugs in Milwaukee, but doing so, whether or not you are guilty, before you have an attorney present to protect your rights can be a huge mistake.
What Happens in Court
When you go before the judge for your arraignment, which is a court appearance in which a judge presents your formal charges and allows you to enter your plea, it’s usually best to have your lawyer do the talking. He or she will know the specifics of your case and will be able to help you get the best possible outcome.
You may go to trial, and if you are convicted, Wisconsin courts will impose a penalty. The penalties can be severe, particularly if you’re subject to a “penalty enhancer.” That means you can be given more time behind bars, larger fines and more community service time under certain circumstances, such as being convicted of dealing drugs within a public housing project.
You may also be subject to a penalty enhancer if you are convicted of dealing drugs within 1,000 feet of a:
- Park
- Correctional facility or jail
- Public swimming pool
- Youth or community center
- Public or private school
- School bus
The bottom line is that it’s usually best to let your attorney handle the legal aspects of your case if you’re being charged with dealing drugs in Milwaukee. He or she will be able to give you case-specific guidance that ultimately helps your cause.
If you need us, we’re here.
