A drug crime conviction in Pennsylvania has serious repercussions – not just for your immediate future, but also for the rest of your life. Both State and U.S. Federal courts could try and convict you.
No matter how small the amount of drugs, whether it was marijuana, cocaine or heroin or illegal prescription medication–a drug arrest means that you face jail or prison time, costly fines and a criminal record that could haunt you forever. At SMT Legal, our qualified Pittsburgh drug crime defense attorneys are standing by when you need help.
Many of the crimes associated with controlled substances in Pittsburgh are defined in 35 Pa. Code §780-113. Some of these include possession of the following:
In addition to the possession of the drugs mentioned above, a person could also face charges for the following:
Every drug crime in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania is given a gravity score. This score indicates the seriousness of the crime. Using this gravity score and the previous conviction on a person’s record, a judge will use a sentencing matrix to determine the penalty associated with a conviction. The eventual sentence could be the minimum, maximum, or somewhere in between the two.
When we turn to Pennsylvania law, we can see the outline of potential penalties for each type of drug offense. This includes:
Admittedly, the drug crime penalty schedule in the Commonwealth is confusing, which is why it is essential that you work with a Pittsburgh drug crime defense attorney as early as possible after an arrest. By working with a trusted and experienced defense lawyer, you have someone by your side who can explain the law as well as the potential punishments to you. Your attorney will be aware of any possible drug diversion program that you may be eligible for. At SMT Legal, our qualified and experienced Pittsburgh drug crime defense attorneys will stand by your side throughout your entire case.
Consider a few of the consequences of a drug crime conviction:
We don’t say this to scare you. We tell you this because we want to help you minimize the negative impact a drug arrest will have on your life and your family.
Aside from the statutory penalties that a person could face for a drug conviction in Pennsylvania, there are a number of colloquial consequences associated with these convictions. This can include the following:
As experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyers, we can help explain your rights, your options and the best way to move forward with your life. If you are eligible for drug diversion programs as an alternative to jail, we will help you with that process. If you want to fight your charges, we will do everything possible to have your charges reduced or dropped altogether.
If you have been charged with a drug crime, contact our skilled and experienced drug lawyers today for a FREE consultation. At SMT Legal, we offer free case evaluations to anyone charged with a drug crime in Pittsburgh, PA or Western Pennsylvania.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
Our experienced criminal drug lawyers try our best to make a positive difference in our clients’ lives by providing solid legal advice and preparing strong and aggressive defense strategies.
Our sole aim is to get your drug charges reduced or withdrawn altogether.
It is not uncommon for the PA legal system to allow first time drug offenders and repeat offenders to receive treatment in lieu of jail time. A lawyer can help you and your family understand what drug diversion programs exist and can help negotiate a plea for these programs during a hearing or trial.
We handle all areas of a criminal drug offense, including:
When you have an aggressive and experienced Pittsburgh drug attorney to thoroughly investigate your case, build a strong defense strategy and negotiate with the courts and plead your case, you significantly increase your chances of having your charges reduced or withdrawn.
A great attorney not only understands the court system but also understands the needs of his or her client and has compassion for the clients’ situation. That compassion has the capacity to carry over when it is time for hearings and sentencing and negotiating with prosecutors and making pleas to a judge.
As your attorneys we will do everything possible to have your charges or sentencing reduced (if having them dropped completely is not possible).
There are several state and county drug diversion programs that offer people the opportunity to keep their license and stay out of jail with the stipulation of participating in drug treatment programs. One such program is the Allegheny County ARD Program for first offenders. Another is Pennsylvania Drug Court.
Diversionary programs are typically not something you can simply opt for, but you need the permission of the District Attorney to be accepted. We can help you with that process.
Our criminal defense attorneys believe that people are inherently good. But good people make mistakes and some are falsely accused. A harsh punishment is rarely productive for anyone.
Defendants also have families who bear the burden of their loved ones being sentenced to jail and losing their job or their license. Many people need treatment programs, not harsh sentencing, especially when entire families are at stake.
Our aggressive and hard working drug attorneys are here to guide you through a difficult time.
Everyone has unique situations and we take the time to listen to your story and fully understand the situation so that we can do everything possible to defend your rights.
Call Pittsburgh Drug Lawyer Christopher Thomas for a free legal evaluation of your case.
Attorney Thomas and the SMT Legal Criminal Defense Team are here to answer your questions, listen to your situation, explain your rights and offer the best steps to defend your rights and get your future on track.
