In North Carolina, distributing drugs is a serious criminal offense that can carry heavy penalties if the individual is convicted. Police and prosecutors will aggressively pursue criminal charges against those involved in distributing drugs to minors and involving minors in drug crimes. A conviction could potentially land you in prison for a decade or more. If you are facing criminal charges involving distributing drugs to minors, you need skilled legal representation as soon as possible to help protect your freedom and future.
Since 1998, the Raleigh criminal defense attorneys of Kurtz & Blum, PLLC have worked tirelessly to defend the rights, freedom, and future of clients facing criminal prosecution. With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to every one of our clients’ cases. Our firm uses a collaborative approach on cases, so you get the benefit of not just one lawyer but all the attorneys on our legal team. This allows us to utilize the expertise of each member of our firm to reach creative, effective strategies and solutions for your case.
When you need experienced legal advocacy, we’re in your corner. Contact us today for a confidential consultation with a Raleigh drug lawyer from our firm. We can discuss how we can help if you are facing charges for distributing drugs to minors.
What Kind of Drug Charges Can You Face for Selling Drugs at School?
If you are arrested for selling drugs at a school, you may face a variety of charges depending on the circumstances. First, you can be charged with selling drugs on school property, an offense that is graded as a Class E felony in North Carolina when the defendant is age 21 or older, under NCGS § 90-95.
If you were selling drugs on or near school property to children under the age of 16, you can also face additional felony charges for distributing drugs to minors. If you sell drugs to a minor between the ages of 14 and 16, you can be charged with a Class D felony, while the charge is upgraded to a Class C felony if the minor is 13 years old or younger.
What Is Inducing or Abetting a Minor to Sell or Distribute Drugs?
In North Carolina, the act of an adult inducing or abetting a minor to sell or distribute drugs falls under the crime of employing or intentionally using a minor to commit a drug law violation. Using a minor to sell or distribute drugs constitutes a felony offense under North Carolina law.
The felony grading of the offense is increased from the grading of the underlying drug offense committed by the minor, with the specific increase dependent on the age of the adult offender and the age of the minor:
- If the offender is at least 18 years old but younger than 21 years old and they use a minor over the age of 13 to commit a drug crime, the felony is graded one class more severe than the underlying drug crime.
- If the offender is at least 18 years old but younger than 21 years old and they use a minor age 13 or younger to commit a drug crime, the felony is graded two classes more severe than the underlying crime.
- If the offender is age 21 and older and they use a minor older than age 13 to commit a drug crime, the felony is graded three classes more severe than the underlying offense.
- If the offender is 21 or older and they use a minor 13 years old or younger to commit a drug crime, the felony is graded four classes more severe than the underlying drug offense.
A person aged 21 or older who promotes drug sales by a minor can be charged with a Class D felony. Buying or receiving drugs from a minor constitutes a Class G felony offense.
What Is the Punishment Involved in Distributing Drugs to Minors?
The selling drugs to minors punishment can vary depending on the specific charges and circumstances. Felony sentencing ranges in North Carolina include:
- Class G felony – Up to 47 months
- Class F felony – Up to 59 months
- Class E felony – Up to 88 months
- Class D felony – Up to 204 months
- Class C felony – Up to 231 months
How Our Raleigh, North Carolina Attorneys Can Help You to Face This Situation
When facing criminal prosecution for serious charges like giving drugs to a minor, you need experienced legal representation to help you protect your legal rights and interests. At Kurtz & Blum, our Raleigh, North Carolina attorneys can help in your case by:
- Performing an independent investigation into your charges, not simply relying on the prosecution to find and turn over evidence that can assist in your defense.
- Reviewing all the facts and evidence to identify possible legal and factual defenses available to you.
- Ensuring you understand your legal rights and options and the potential consequences you could face if convicted at trial.
- Challenging every aspect of the state’s case, including seeking to have state’s evidence excluded on grounds of inadmissibility or that it was obtained in violation of your rights (such as in an unconstitutional search or seizure).
- Moving to have charges reduced or dismissed based on the facts and evidence as they develop in your case.
- If you choose, pursuing negotiations with the prosecution to reach a plea agreement that can allow you to avoid the most serious possible consequences of a conviction at trial.
- Advocating your case at trial when you wish to defend your innocence, vigorously pursuing a not guilty verdict on your behalf.
If you have been arrested and charged with distributing drugs to minors, contact Kurtz & Blum today for a confidential case evaluation. You will speak to an experienced Raleigh criminal defense attorney who can explain how we can help during this challenging time in your life.
