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Drug Crimes

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Scranton & Tunkhannock Areas Premier Drug Crime Attorneys

 

Types of Drug Crimes:

Possession

You can be charged with drug possession in Pennsylvania if law enforcement finds on your person or hidden on your property a controlled substance.  The Commonwealth would need to prove that you knowingly and deliberately possessed a controlled substance.  Additionally, they must show that you knew the controlled substance was illegal. Lastly, you had control or possession of the controlled substance.

For example, some states have legalized recreational marijuana. Pennsylvania law still prohibits recreational use of marijuana and if you are arrested, you could face possession charges for having it on your person.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

Along with a simple possession charge for having a controlled substance, many times the Commonwealth charges someone with possession of drug paraphernalia. This charge includes any items used to create or use controlled substances.  Some examples would be rolling papers, baggies, scales, crack pipes, bongs, and syringes. This charge alone carries serious penalties.

Possession With Intent to Deliver (PWID)

If you are being accused or charged for possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, the Commonwealth believes you not only possessed a controlled substance but also intended to sell, distribute, transport, or manufacture the controlled substance.  The penalties for possession with intent to deliver are extremely severe including potential prison.

The punishment for possession with intent to deliver depends on the schedule the controlled substance falls under. 

• Schedule I:Includes drugs with a highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use such as LSD, heroin, marijuana, and synthetic drugs.
• Schedule II: Includes drugs with a high potential for abuse but have an accepted medical use such as methadone, morphine, Vicodin, OxyContin, fentanyl, methamphetamines, and cocaine.
• Schedule III:  Includes drugs that have a medical use and a less potential for abuse such as anabolic steroids and ketamine.
• Schedule IV: Includes drugs that have an accepted medical use and a low risk of dependence such as Xanax, Darvocet, Valium, and Ambien.
• Schedule V: Includes drugs that have an accepted medical use with the least potential for abuse such as many prescription medications with low levels of codeine. This includes cough medicines and an example

Potential Defenses to Drug Charges

• Small quantity of the drug
• Lack of knowledge or intent
• Legal possession
• The controlled substance was not yours 

Potential Penalties for Drug Charges

For a simple possession or drug paraphernalia penalties may include prison, probation, and fines.  If you are convicted of a PWID charge, opiate related, that is a Schedule I or II controlled substance resulting in a felony. You risk up to 15 years in prison and up to $250,000 fine.  If you are convicted of a PWID as a felony for meth or cocaine, you could risk up to 10 years in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.

If convicted of any other Schedule I, II, or III controlled substance you risk up to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.  If convicted of a Schedule IV controlled substance, you risk up to 3 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  The only misdemeanors for a PWID are for Schedule V controlled substances and if convicted you could risk up to 1 year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Scranton & Tunkhannock Areas Premier Drug Crime Attorneys

Tap to Call Now! 

If you been charged with a drug crime or you believe you are under investigation for a drug crime, contact The Law Offices of Ackourey & Turel P.C. before you talk to law enforcement at 570-342-4242 or 570-836-3600. We offer a free consultation on all drug cases. We will travel, if necessary, to the jail and see your loved one.

Our criminal defense attorneys will fight for your liberty and seek the drug charges to be dismissed or reduced.

At The Law Offices of Ackourey & Turel P.C. we have handled drug crimes throughout Scranton, Tunkhannock, Wilkes Barre, Montrose, Honesdale, Towanda and all of Northeastern Pennsylvania including the Middle District of Pennsylvania. 

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