Drug charges are some of the most common filed against defendants in Lansdale. Whether this is your first arrest or you have multiple drug crime convictions, our attorneys can take on your case. Call us immediately after an arrest so we can determine what charges you are facing and assess the evidence against you.
Drug charges in Pennsylvania include simple possession and possession with intent to deliver. Federal charges come after federal drug crime violations and risk harsher consequences, like serving prison sentences in federal prison. We prepare defendants for trial, readying their defenses and even negotiating pleas when appropriate.
For a confidential and free case evaluation, call Kenny, Burns & McGill’s drug crime lawyers today at (215) 423-5500.
What Are Common Drug Offenses in Lansdale?
Drug charges in Pennsylvania fall into two broad categories: simple possession and possession with intent to deliver.
Simple Possession
Someone is guilty of simple possession for knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance for personal use without a valid prescription. This definition is relatively broad and applies to most situations that do not meet the criteria for a possession with intent to deliver charge.
Upon a first simple possession conviction, a defendant faces up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000. Negotiating plea deals can mitigate the consequences of subsequent convictions, which may risk even lengthier jail sentences and higher fines.
Possession with Intent to Deliver
Manufacturing, delivering, or possessing controlled substances with intent to deliver is a more serious offense, also known as drug trafficking in Pennsylvania. Depending on the specific controlled substance and its exact amount, defendants may face years in prison upon conviction.
Call our lawyers right away if you are arrested on charges related to drug trafficking, and our drug crime lawyers can start working on your defense immediately.
How Do Federal and State Drug Cases Differ?
Allegedly breaking a federal law means being charged with a federal crime, and allegedly breaking a state law means being charged at the state level. Federal and state criminal cases differ somewhat, but both require our lawyers to handle them effectively.
Length of Criminal Case
Criminal cases for federal charges often take longer than cases for state charges. Our attorneys can fight to speed up when your federal drug trial begins and work to get you released on bail so you do not have to await trial from a cell.
Length of Prison Sentence
Prison sentences for federal drug trafficking convictions are typically much longer than state prison sentences. Prosecutors may offer plea deals in federal and state drug crime cases, and defendants should always have our lawyers review these plea deals before signing them, as they may be initially unfair.
Location of Prison Stay
If you are convicted of a federal offense, you serve your prison sentence at a federal prison. This could be states away from Pennsylvania, far from family and other loved ones in Lansdale. State sentences are served at state prisons, which are often closer to home, allowing for more frequent visits and making it easier for defendants to work on their appeals with our lawyers.
How Can I Prepare for a Drug Crime Trial in Lansdale?
We not only prepare defendants’ cases before trials, but we also prepare defendants themselves. Criminal trials can be mentally and emotionally draining, and we provide support throughout.
Confide in Our Lawyers
We can best prepare for your trial when you confide in us at the start of your case. Inform us if you were coerced or forced to participate in a drug trafficking operation or if you were fully unaware drugs were present on your property. The more information we have, the better defense we can build.
To get a guilty verdict for even a simple possession charge, the prosecution must prove you knowingly or intentionally possessed illicit substances. Arguing a lack of knowledge or intent may help you beat the charges against you, especially if drugs were found in a shared home or vehicle.
Get Ready to Testify
Not all defendants testify during their criminal trials, and our lawyers will gauge if doing so helps your case. If so, we will prepare you to testify. We will outline the questions we plan to ask and the ones we anticipate the prosecution will ask so you feel prepared.
The more you prepare mentally and emotionally to testify, the more successful your testimony may be in aiding your defense.
Comprehend the Charges
We prepare defendants for drug offense cases in Lansdale by clearly explaining the charges against them. Being convicted of simple possession for having a small amount of marijuana differs greatly from being convicted of drug trafficking large amounts of cocaine. Still, both charges bring consequences upon conviction, which you must understand completely before the trial begins.
Post Bail
Posting bail allows defendants to participate in their defense against drug charges in Pennsylvania from home and not from jail. If this is your first possession offense, we may argue for no bail and for you to be “released on your own recognizance.”
Regardless of the charge, we can represent you during the bail hearing to ensure bail is fair and feasible for your family to pay. We can then explain to your loved ones how to post bail and which license bail bonding company they can use for help if necessary.
Do Not Discuss Your Case
Avoid discussing your case with anyone else other than our attorneys. Do not mention your case on any online posts, and stay off of social media altogether. This prevents you from unintentionally posting anything incriminating or contradictory to statements you have previously made.
Call Our Lansdale Attorneys for Help with Your Criminal Defense
For help with your case from Kenny, Burns & McGill’s our drug crime lawyers, call us today at (215) 423-5500.
