Tag: amphetamine

Sentencing Enhancement for Felony Possession Within “Drug Free Zones”

Felony drug offenses committed within “drug free zones” risk more time in prison. A “drug free zone” can be in, on or within 1000 feet of certain property.  This property includes schools, parks, swimming pools and rec centers as well as the contiguous land surrounding any buildings. Offenses committed on a marked school bus also count. Felonies include manufacturing, distributing or possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance listed in schedule I, II or III (simulated and imitation drugs included). The five-year enhancement applies only to adults (18 or older) who commit the offense involving another adult.  The […]

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The “Take-Back” Entrapment Defense

The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law are often asked about the possibility of asserting an entrapment defense in drug cases.  It’s usually in the context of a controlled buy from an informant who is trying to work off a collar. The regular entrapment defense requires evidence of excessive incitement, urging, persuasion or temptation.  Merely providing the opportunity to commit a crime is not enough. That’s why the regular entrapment defense is difficult to raise for most vanilla drug transactions.  Typically nothing excessive! But then there’s the “take-back” entrapment defense.  That is available when an informant supplies drugs to the accused […]

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Consequences of Marijuana Possession in a Commercial Motor Vehicle

The drug defense attorneys at GRL have blogged before on the pitfalls of being stopped by police with marijuana in your personal vehicle.  Fortunately, Iowa no longer suspends your driving privileges for drug convictions. Does this mean you can keep personal use quantities in the sleeper area of a semi truck? In a word, no.  Not unless, of course, you are looking to have your CDL privileges disqualified for six months. That’s right. You will lose your privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle if convicted of most simple possession offenses.   Marijuana, amphetamines or any narcotic drug will do the […]

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Can Police Frisk Me for Drugs?

The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law have seen their fair share of possession cases arising from police frisks. It usually goes down like this.  Following a traffic stop for a minor traffic violation, the officer orders the driver to come back to the patrol car to process a citation. Pro tip: You are seized by the officer and legally obligated to follow this instruction.  Don’t resist, or worse, assert your rights as a sovereign citizen.  You will be definitely arrested for interference and subjected to a full search of your person, clothing and accessories like a wallet, purse or […]

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