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Drug manufacturing refers to the production of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or other controlled substances. If you or someone you care about has been arrested under suspicion of drug manufacturing, it’s vital to seek legal representation from a drug manufacturing attorney who understands the complexity of these cases.
The unlawful manufacture of drugs is a serious offense. Many other drug-related offenses are considered misdemeanors, but drug manufacturing is classed as a felony, meaning the penalties are much higher.
Manufacturing any controlled substance in Alabama’s Schedules I through V could see someone charged with second-degree drug manufacturing. In fact, law enforcement isn’t required to prove that someone made a controlled substance for them to be charged. Simply possessing the chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance is sufficient.
In Alabama, growing marijuana is viewed in the same way as unlawful manufacture, making it, at a minimum, second-degree manufacture and a Class B felony.
There are two levels of drug manufacturing charges. If someone is found in possession of precursor chemicals or was manufacturing an illegal drug in a way that falls under second-degree manufacture, they could be faced with the following penalties:
Unlawful manufacturing in the first degree is a far more serious charge which is used when someone could be charged with second-degree manufacturing, and the case also meets other criteria, such as the possession of a firearm or use of a booby trap. The location of the laboratory and the type of drug being made may also play a factor in whether or not a case is first- or second-degree manufacturing.
A first-degree manufacturing charge carries much more significant penalties:
If someone is facing charges of drug manufacturing, they’ll most likely also find themselves faced with additional drug charges, such as possession and potentially drug trafficking.
Punishments can vary depending on whether the case is tried in a state or federal court and the specific circumstances of the case. Typically, federal charges are brought against offenders who crossed state borders as part of the manufacturing process and in cases where law enforcement believes the accused is part of a large-scale drug manufacturing operation.
For small-scale offenses, it’s more likely that the case will be treated as a state one. In some cases, getting probation, parole, or community service is possible—avoiding jail time. Simply having a felony conviction on your record can prevent you from owning a firearm or voting and could also make it difficult to pursue certain forms of employment in the future.
Because of the severity of the potential punishment punishments under both state and federal drug manufacturing laws, anyone accused of such an offense must seek advice from a drug lawyer immediately.
A drug manufacturing lawyer will do everything they can to help you avoid conviction. At Stoves Law Firm, P.C., we’re passionate about defending the civil rights of our clients, and drug manufacturing is just one of our areas of practice. We’ll examine your case carefully, looking for any ways law enforcement officers might have violated your rights or cut corners, and flag up any evidence obtained unlawfully or that is otherwise inadmissible.
We’ll aggressively challenge any assumptions based on poor evidence, aiming to help you avoid a conviction. If we think there’s enough evidence for a conviction, we’ll explain your options to you, and if you decide to go for a plea bargain, we’ll work to achieve a reduced sentence for you.
When you work with Stoves Law Firm, P.C., you’ll have access to specialists who can argue your case for you, helping you get the best outcome we can.
If you’re faced with a drug manufacturing charge and aren’t sure who to turn to, contact us as quickly as possible for confidential advice and legal support.
