The Utah books are full of statutes concerning drugs, from drug use, to possession, to distribution. The war on drugs has caused the legislature to write statute after statute of drug offenses and along with that the legislature has written a statute that enhances the penalties associated with these drug offenses depending on where they were committed. These areas that enhance drug offenses are commonly referred to as drug-free-zones. The statute enumerates a number of places that are considered drug free zones including: schools, day cares, churches, malls, parks, and libraries. Furthermore, the drug-free-zone extends to 1,000 feet from any of these buildings.
Penalties for Drug Offenses in a Drug Free Zone
The effect of committing a drug crime in one of these areas is that the offense is moved one degree higher than it would otherwise be. So for example if you have been charged with Possession of Marijuana and its less than 1 oz. you would normally be facing a class B misdemeanor. If you happened to be picked up on that offense in a drug-free-zone you would instead be facing a class A misdemeanor. The only offense that doesn’t conform to this is a first degree felony, if an individual is charged with a first degree felony then the effect of the drug free zone is that the person will be charged with a first degree felony and upon conviction will be sentenced with at least five years in prison.
Ogden Drug Crimes Attorney | Drug Free Zone Offense
If you have been charged with a drug crime then you should call Ogden Criminal Defense Lawyer right away, if you have been charged with a drug crime in a drug free zone then you should call even faster. Our attorneys can help you protect yourself and make sure you get the best outcome available, call or email today to find out more.
