Strengthened Charges for Crystal Meth Conviction

Increased use of crystal meth led in the federal government passing the Methamphetamine Epidemic Act in 2005 as part of the government’s war on drugs. The general objective of installing the act was to put tight restrictions on the legal uses of crystal meth, as well as increasing the severity for its possession penalty laws. As a result of the increasing epidemic of crystal methamphetamine use, states like Iowa have established harsh penalties for crystal meth possession.

Charges of delivering or possession with intent of methamphetamines are regarded as serious felonies where a defendant can face up to 50 years imprisonment and pay $1 million in fines.

Intent to Distribute Crystal Meth

These larger amounts can be a red flag to the law enforcement and the courts as having an “intent to distribute” which can lead to harsher penalties. In certain cases possession charges and in worse cases manufacturing charges, can be brought against individuals that only possessed the over-the-counter drugs or chemicals used in the manufacturing of meth (otherwise known as precursor chemicals/ingredients, or meth paraphernalia). Among others, this consists of ephedrine, methylamine, phenyl-2-propanone, hydriodic acid, and hydrogen gas.

Crystal Meth Defense

A few of the approaches to protect from a possession of methamphetamine charge is to challenge the intent of the individual. From there the adequacy of the proof and/or the cop verification may be brought into question, as well as the constitutionality of the stop, search, or investigation. A defense may even question the validity of use, meaning whether it was appointed by a healthcare practitioner or not. The simple presence of crystal meth in a house does not constantly relate that every single person in the residential property is subject to possession, as the court must validate a certain individual to have meant to possess the drugs. This key aspect guards innocent spectators who might instinctively be living with a meth user, or may have had the drug planted on them.