Felony Drug Charges | Snyder Law

Felony drug charges defense.

Every drug case looks serious on paper. The real work is figuring out whether the evidence holds up once you slow the case down and look closely at how it was gathered.

If you’re facing felony drug charges, the outcome often turns less on what was found and more on how law enforcement got there in the first place.

Most drug cases are built on traffic stops, searches, warrants, confidential informants, or lab testing. Those steps are governed by constitutional rules, and when those rules aren’t followed, it matters.

I represent clients charged with serious drug offenses in Clay County, Cass County, and surrounding areas in Minnesota and North Dakota.

PRACTICE AREAS – MN: Clay County, Becker County, and Norman County / ND: Cass County

Talk to a lawyer before you talk to anyone else.

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Early decisions in drug cases often shape what options are available later. If you or a family member is facing felony drug charges, speak with a lawyer before making statements or decisions that can’t be undone.

Not every case needs the same approach, and not every case should be rushed.

Drug charges I defend.

I handle felony drug cases involving:

Possession of controlled substances
Possession with intent to deliver or distribute
Manufacturing or cultivation charges
Prescription drug offenses
Controlled buys and confidential informants
Federal drug conspiracy cases

Whether your case is in Clay County, Cass County, or federal court, the legal exposure can be severe, often involving mandatory prison time if not handled correctly.

Most drug cases are about the search.

Drug cases rarely begin with someone simply “being caught.” They usually start with:

A traffic stop
A vehicle search
A search warrant
A confidential informant
A probation or parole search

Each of those situations comes with legal limits. When those limits are pushed or ignored, it creates issues that can—and should—be challenged.

Common issues include:

Stops without reasonable suspicion
Searches without valid consent
Warrants based on weak or misleading affidavits
Informants with credibility problems
Overbroad or stale warrants
Illegal expansion of traffic stops

These are issues addressed through suppression motions, not by rushing a case toward a plea without testing the evidence.

State vs. Federal drug charges.

Drug cases can move quickly from state court to federal court. Federal charges often involve:

Mandatory minimum sentences
Broader conspiracy allegations
Wiretaps and phone records
Multiple defendants

The earlier a defense strategy is developed, the more leverage you preserve—whether that means litigating the case, narrowing the charges, or positioning the case for trial or resolution on favorable terms.

What actually happens after a drug arrest.

Many clients are shocked by how fast things move after arrest. Typically:

Charges are filed quickly
Bail or conditions are imposed
Discovery begins immediately
Decisions are made about whether evidence can be challenged
The case either improves or becomes more difficult depending on how it is litigated

Waiting to “see how it goes” often means giving up leverage before you realize it’s happening.

A trial-ready, litigation-focused defense.

I do not rely on quick pleas. My approach is:

Careful review of reports, bodycam, and warrants
Early identification of constitutional issues
Strategic suppression litigation
Realistic assessment of trial risk and leverage