Drug convictions can be challenging to move on from, and our lawyers work hard to help defendants facing such charges overcome them. Protecting your defense starts immediately after an arrest, so tell the police you want to speak with our attorneys and say nothing else.
Officers might try to provoke you while you are being processed or conduct interviews after an arrest, but you must refuse to engage. Instead, wait for our lawyers, who can quickly determine what charges you are facing. There are significant differences between facing state and federal drug charges, although our attorneys assist defendants in both scenarios. Beating drug charges is possible, but it requires you to be candid with our lawyers and act appropriately during your trial.
Call our drugs crimes lawyers for a free case review from Kenny, Burns & McGill at (215) 423-5500.
What Happens After a Drug Crime Arrest in Pottstown?
Immediately after police officers arrest you on drug charges in Pottstown, they should read you what is referred to as your “Miranda” rights. If they don’t inform you of your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney, report that to our lawyers.
Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Don’t say anything else to officers whatsoever.
After you’re detained, you’ll be “processed,” meaning your fingerprints will be collected, photographs will be taken, and personal items will be collected. Getting processed can feel surreal and scary, so do your best to stay levelheaded.
You should be given the opportunity to call our lawyers, and you should do so right away. Officers may continue to try to question you, and you should continue to inform them that you will not speak without the presence of our lawyers.
What Do My Drug Charges Mean?
Drug charges are split into two broad categories in Pennsylvania: simple possession and possession with intent to deliver, otherwise referred to as drug trafficking. Whenever you face criminal charges, you must fully understand what they mean and what potential consequences they bring.
If you were charged with simple possession, that means you like face a misdemeanor and up to a year in jail or $5,000 in fines for a first offense. Subsequent offenses carry more serious consequences, including up to three years in jail and fines of up to $25,000.
If you face charges for drug trafficking, that is typically a much more serious matter. This is typically charged as a felony unless the substance is a Schedule V drug, in which case possession with intent to deliver is a misdemeanor offense.
What Are the Penalties for Federal Drug Charges?
Reach out right away if you are arrested on federal drug charges in Pottstown. Federal cases are typically much more complex than state criminal trials for many reasons. Federal cases often take longer, may involve more witnesses, and threaten much longer prison sentences for defendants.
Federal drug trafficking is the charge associated with taking controlled substances across state lines. The penalties defendants face upon conviction depend on the type of drug allegedly being trafficked, its quantity, and whether or not this is the defendant’s first offense.
There are minimum prison sentences for trafficking many Schedule I and II controlled substances across state lines. These sentences must be served in a federal prison, which will likely be far from friends and family in Pottstown.
How Can I Beat Drug Charges in Pottstown?
Our lawyers can help you beat drug charges and move on from this difficult period of your life. For that to happen, you must be candid with us, telling us anything that could affect your case. There are other important things to keep in mind, which our drugs crimes lawyers will explain when handling your defense.
Be Candid with Our Lawyers
The more you tell us, the stronger your defense can be. If you are facing a simple possession charge, tell us if the controlled substance is not yours but a roommate’s or friend’s. You should also tell us if police officers were especially rough or rushed through the arrest, as they might have violated your rights.
We may beat federal or state drug trafficking charges by proving you were forced to participate under duress. Give us any evidence of threats against you or your family that prove coercion, like phone calls, text messages, or other correspondence.
Do Not Speak About Your Case
Do not talk to the media, discuss particulars with friends or even family, or post anything on social media related to your trial. Doing so might jeopardize your defense and affect your case in serious ways.
Follow Bail Conditions
When you are released on bail after being arrested for drug charges in Pottstown, you may have specific rules to follow. Defendants might face travel restrictions, be warned against contacting witnesses, and have to undergo regular drug testing throughout their trials.
Violate any conditions of your bail, and the judge may revoke it. This could have ramifications throughout your case, not only affecting how you are viewed but also how much you can participate in your own defense.
What if I Take a Plea Deal for Drug Charges in Pottstown?
Sometimes, plea deals are effective tools in offsetting potential penalties and minimizing the effects of a criminal conviction. We may negotiate a plea that results in little to no jail time, especially if this is your first offense or a subsequent offense and you are facing an even longer prison sentence this time.
That said, rushing pleas is inadvisable. Prosecutors might act as though plea deals benefit defendants, only for defendants to sign them without fully understanding what they are pleading guilty to. Never sign a plea before we confirm it is the best course of action.
Call Our Lawyers After Being Arrested on Drug Charges in Pottstown
Call our drugs crimes lawyers for a free case assessment from Kenny, Burns & McGill at (215) 423-5500.
