Getting Arrested for Meth in Arizona

What Happens if You Get Caught With Meth in Arizona

Meth is listed under the law A.R.S. 13-3401, which is “Dangerous Drugs.” This law includes meth in any way of preparation, mixture, and quantity. Any part of the drug can abuse and acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system. Because meth is under the Dangerous Drugs section, its penalties are more severe.

If you are caught with meth, you will be arrested and charged pretty much immediately.

The Law

In short, the laws against meth in Arizona state that individuals cannot knowingly possess, use, sell, manufacture, acquire, or transport meth. This law is A.R.S. 13-3407.

Classifications

The following are classifications for different meth charges. For instance:

• Possession, or use, is a Class Four Felony.
• Misrepresentation is a Class Three Felony.
• Having the intent to sell is a Class Two Felony.
• Administering the drug is a Class Two Felony.
• Manufacturing is a Class Two Felony
• Owning equipment or chemicals to make meth is a Class Two Felony.

Sentencing Factors

The court considers multiple factors for the sentencing of meth convictions.  Sentencing factors include:

• Whether it is a first-time or a repeating drug offense
• If the purpose of obtaining it was for personal use or sale
• How much of the drug was in possession
• If the amount possessed was the same amount or less or more than the Arizona Statutory threshold amount (The threshold amount is 9 grams)
• Aggravated circumstances
• Previous criminal record
• Nature of the charges

Penalties

These penalties can change based on varied sentencing factors. For instance:

• Possession for sale, manufacture, or transport for sale is five to ten years in prison. If it is a repeat offense, the sentencing increases to ten to 20 years. If there were aggravated circumstances, then it would be 12 years.
• Owning equipment to make the substance and manufacture it is two and a half to seven years. If there were aggravated circumstances, it would be 8.7 years.
• If you have less than nine grams in possession at the time of arrest, it is one and a half to three years.
• There are court-ordered fines and fees.
• Court-ordered substance abuse counseling and treatment
• Probation or parole
• Loss of a specific civil right, which includes the right to bear arms
• A felony will be on your criminal record in addition to other penalties ordered by the court.
• If you have more than 9 grams of a substance in your possession, all prison terms can increase.

How Does the Arizona Justice System Help Meth Users?

In some cases, there is court-mandated addiction treatment for drug crimes. The Arizona Department of Corrections does have addiction treatment services. However, the offender has to say they need this intervention.

 They do a mostly self-reported screening process and a review of any available data. Those who go through the screening process rank according to their needs, time left to serve, and recidivism risk. In short, recidivism is the tendency for a convicted criminal to re-offend.

The first step is separating them into four categories, intensive treatment, moderate treatment, educational, or no need. Intensive therapy is a twelve-month program, and the average treatment is six months. Next, a licensed substance abuse counselor supervises all of these programs. Then, the counselor will incorporate curricula in cognitive behavior treatment.

In addition, driving under the influence treatment is offered at private prison facilities for male offenders and available through females’ contract services. Moreover, the prisoner will attend classes in various classes such as parenting, family dynamics of addiction, and stress management. These classes will need 100 percent completion for the length of their sentence.

Support Groups For Meth Users

The Arizona Department of Corrections values rehabilitation support groups. These programs are contingent on community volunteers. At the units where offenders can meet in groups, various support groups are every week.
Moreover, the court may offer treatment as an alternative or in addition to time served. They can do interventions as therapeutic alternatives to being incarcerated.

Furthermore, interventions provide offenders with a more beneficial transition from jail to the community. Through monitoring, supervision, and threats of legal sanctions, the justice system can give leverage to encourage drug abusers to enter and remain in treatment.