Philadelphia Drug Crime Lawyer
Individuals facing drug charges can benefit from the professional legal services of the Benari Law Group. Drug crimes are serious and can have harsh penalties making it important to have a strong defense both inside and outside the courtroom. Following your arrest, it is important that contact an attorney for legal guidance and assistance before making statements to authorities that a prosecution can use against you later. We can represent you from the time of arrest, at arraignment and during all court proceedings and other necessary actions as part of the criminal proceedings. Some drug crimes are felonies and can carry a mandatory minimum sentence with the judge allowed no discretion.
The punishments depend on many factors that can include the type and amount of drugs, involvement of minors, use of weapons, prior offenses and other circumstances may increase penalties if convicted of the crime. Pennsylvania has a wide range of laws relating to drugs: from drug-free school zones to hard-hitting penalties for drug trafficking and previous drug offenders. Not knowing the laws and penalties corresponding to your charges can make everything worse, compounding the trouble you are already in, so it is wise to talk to an attorney experienced in handling these cases immediately.
Types of Drug Offenses & Penalties
Per Pennsylvania law, you may be charged for possession, possession with intent to deliver (PWID),
selling,
manufacturing or drug
distribution. Common illegal substances are
marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamine, PCP, LSD, and other types of drugs and drug
paraphernalia. A possession of a small amount of drugs for personal use may be a
misdemeanor or lesser charge. The more severe felony crimes can result in penalties of imprisonment, large fines, mandatory periodic drug testing, community service, and counseling programs.
Various penalties for common drug crimes include:
- Possession of Marijuana: For 30 grams or less, up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $500. If you possessed more than 30 grams, up to one year in jail and $5000 in fines
- Possession of other Controlled Substances: This involves drugs such as meth, ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, LSD, or illegal steroids. For these, you could face up to one year in prison and be forced to pay a $5000 fine.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: You could face up to one year in jail and have to pay $2500
- Selling Marijuana to a Minor: You could face up to 2 years in prison and have to pay a $5000 fine
The good news is that if you were arrested with only a small amount of marijuana in your possession, you will most likely only have to pay a small fine and take a three-hour class before having your charge expunged. According to the Daily Pennsylvanian, "In one year, the Small Amounts of Marijuana program has saved Philadelphia an estimated $2 million and thousands arrested for small possession from fines and imprisonment.
Why hire an attorney?
Regardless of the charges you face, however, you will need a criminal defense attorney on your side during the days ahead. We can make sure that your arresting officer had a valid warrant and that you were not unlawfully seized or arrested, as well as make sure that the testimony they have against you is credible. If we can find errors relating to the conduct of the police or holes in the prosecution's case, we will exploit these and work hard to give you back the freedom you deserve.
Our experienced lawyers have defended numerous drug offense cases and our familiarity allows us to take prompt action to ensure the protection of your constitutional rights. We will review all aspects of your arrest, the evidence against you and build a solid defense on your behalf. The goal of our firm when we defend a case is the best possible outcome considering the circumstances of the incident and the severity of the crime. We can assist clients through negotiations and have helped many first offenders and juveniles. Contact our firm immediately if you have been arrested for drug-related charges.