Have you been arrested for drug manufacturing in Tucson, Arizona? These charges can come with serious prison time and lasting consequences if not handled properly. At Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys, our team brings 45 years of combined criminal defense experience to each defendant’s case. We know how the Arizona courts work and how to push back against prosecutors during these challenging cases.
You can trust us to fight for your future and work for the best outcome possible. If you’re facing drug charges, we’re here for you. Contact us today at (520) 510-0439 to schedule a free consultation with a Tucson drug manufacturing lawyer.
Why Hire Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys If You’re Arrested for Drug Manufacturing in Tucson, AZ?
When you are facing drug manufacturing charges in Tucson, AZ, the consequences can affect every aspect of your life.
At Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys, we set ourselves apart in the following ways:
- We have decades of experience focused exclusively on defending clients in criminal cases
- Our firm has a proven track record for achieving reduced charges, dismissals, and favorable verdicts for our clients
- We always use a team approach. Multiple attorneys contribute different skills and perspectives to create the best defense possible
Don’t risk your freedom or your future by handling drug manufacturing allegations with the wrong firm. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Tucson drug crimes lawyer.
Overview of Drug Manufacturing in Arizona
Drug manufacturing is a serious offense in Arizona. State statutes are broad and cover a range of substances and activities, all of which can bring significant penalties if you’re charged.
Manufacturing Dangerous Drugs
Arizona law makes it illegal to manufacture or aid in producing dangerous drugs, as well as to possess equipment or chemicals meant for their manufacture. This category includes many well-known substances, such as methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), LSD, PCP, anabolic steroids, and even some prescriptions like Adderall or Xanax.
Simply having the tools or compounds typically used to produce these drugs can lead to conviction, even if the finished product wasn’t found.
Manufacturing Narcotic Drugs
Narcotic drug manufacturing is also a crime and covers both illegal drugs and certain prescription pills. The list includes heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana concentrates, and popular prescription painkillers such as OxyContin or Vicodin when produced without authorization.
Even if some of these drugs can be prescribed legally, making them outside licensed channels is a felony. The law also makes it illegal to possess the substances or tools needed to produce these drugs.
Cultivating Marijuana
It’s illegal to grow marijuana outside Arizona’s regulated medical and recreational rules. Under ARS 13-3405, production doesn’t only mean operating a full grow house—it can include planting, tending, harvesting, or processing plants at any stage.
Manufacturing Prescription-Only Drugs
Arizona law makes it a crime to manufacture any prescription-only drug without proper authority. This covers not just making the pills or medication, but also any step in their packaging, compounding, or labeling if done without a license.
Manufacturing Drug Paraphernalia
State law looks beyond just drug possession or manufacturing—it’s a crime to make paraphernalia intended for use with illegal drugs. Items like pipes, laboratory beakers, or packaging equipment can be considered paraphernalia depending on how they are used or intended to be used.
The intent matters more than the object itself. If prosecutors believe something was made or distributed for use in drug production or ingestion, charges can be filed under this statute.
What Are the Penalties for Drug Manufacturing in Tucson, Arizona?
Facing drug manufacturing charges in Tucson can result in strict penalties, with mandatory prison time for the most serious offenses. Sentencing depends on the type of drug involved, the presence of equipment or chemicals, the weight of the substances, and your criminal history.
- Prison Time: Most drug manufacturing convictions, especially those involving meth, narcotics, or large-scale operations, are felonies and carry lengthy mandatory prison sentences, ranging from several years to decades, depending on the charges and the substance involved.
- Jail Time: Misdemeanor charges, such as those for prescription-only drugs (when not also dangerous or narcotic), may carry jail terms of up to 6 months.
- Probation: For some less-serious offenses or first-time charges (not involving meth), probation may be an option instead of, or after, incarceration, but is rarely available for the harshest drug charges.
- Fines: Substantial monetary fines, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars, may be imposed as well.
For anyone facing these accusations, the risks are high. Consulting a skilled drug crime attorney as soon as possible is essential to try to avoid or minimize these penalties.
What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’m Arrested for Drug Manufacturing?
If you are arrested for drug manufacturing in Tucson, there are several defenses your attorney can consider.
Common ones include:
Illegal Search and Seizure
If police found evidence through an unlawful search or violated your rights during an investigation, that evidence may be thrown out. This can lead to a dismissal of the entire case in many circumstances.
Lack of Knowledge or Intent
Prosecutors must show you knew about the drugs or the manufacturing process. If you didn’t know drugs were being made, or you were unaware that the equipment was for drug production, you can fight the charge.
Entrapment by Law Enforcement
If police persuaded or trapped you into doing something you wouldn’t otherwise have done, such as providing chemicals or participating in manufacturing, your attorney may argue entrapment.
A lawyer can help identify the most effective defense approach and protect your rights during prosecution.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Tucson Drug Manufacturing Lawyers
Being accused of drug manufacturing puts your freedom, reputation, and future at risk. You need a legal team that won’t back down and knows how to challenge every part of the prosecution’s case.
Our team is committed to supporting you, exploring your options, and giving you straight answers from start to finish. Contact Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys to schedule a free consultation with a Tucson drug manufacturing attorney.