According to law enforcement in Texas, various amounts of methamphetamines, mushrooms, and marijuana were found while executing a search warrant on a home near a College Station skate park. There were also several drug paraphernalia items found in the home, including syringes, cash, and scales. The couple was charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone.

Drug-Free Zones in Washington

In the state of Washington, “it is unlawful for any person to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance.” Drug crimes in Washington can lead to very severe penalties. However, drug crimes that occur in designated “drug-free zones” will garner even more serious penalties, often doubling the sentence for a drug crime committed outside of a drug-free zone.

The following are designated “drug-free zones” according to Washington state law:

• In a school;
• On a school bus;
• Within one thousand feet of a school bus route stop designated by the school district;
• Within one thousand feet of the perimeter of the school grounds;
• In a public park;
• In a public housing project designated by a local governing authority as a drug-free zone;
• On a public transit vehicle;
• In a public transit stop shelter;
• At a civic center designated as a drug-free zone by the local governing authority.”

To be specific, as it pertains to these areas, a “school” refers to a public or private school, a “public park” means land that is operated and supervised by state or local government, and a “civic center” is a government operated facility which can be used for recreational, educational, or cultural activities. In the scenario above, the couple arrested committed their drug crime offense near a skate park ran by the local government, thus making it a drug-free zone.

Penalties for Drug Crimes in a Drug-Free Zone

Manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance within a drug-free zone may double any fines or jail sentences an individual receives for an alleged drug crime. In Washington, many of the drug crimes committed in drug-free zones are classified as a class C felony and can carry up to 10 years of jail time and up to $20,000 in fines. It is important to note, however, that any penalties described in the Washington Code, in regards to a drug-free zone, only apply to adult offenders.

Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyer Steve Karimi

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a drug crime in a designated drug-free zone, such as a school or public park, then you need to retain the services of an experienced defense attorney at the Law Offices of Steve Karimi. Steve Karimi is a former King County prosecutor who now uses his legal insight to fight for the rights of those accused. Mr. Kairim has been named a “rising star” in criminal defense by Washington Law & Politics magazine and has been voted a top criminal defense attorney in the Seattle area. Contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi today to secure your future.