Fighting Drug Charges in Pennsylvania

Defenses to Drug Crimes in Pennsylvania 

If you are charged and convicted of a drug crime in Pennsylvania, your life can change rapidly. Pennsylvania drug laws are very strict and have some of the harshest punishments in the country.

Besides the possibility of jail time and hefty fines, you may also lose your driver’s license. In addition, the drug conviction will be on your permanent criminal record for all future employers to see.

These circumstances make it nearly impossible to maintain your job or find a new one. It can also affect school admission, obtaining a loan or financing, as well as your reputation with family and friends.

In order to protect yourself and your future, you should seek the help of an experienced and knowledgeable Pittsburgh Drug Lawyer immediately upon arrest.

In drug cases, the police often make errors during the arrest, collecting evidence, or even interviewing witnesses. A criminal attorney will take all necessary steps to protect your rights and keep any improper evidence or testimony out of your case.

Talk with an experienced Pittsburgh drug attorney to fight for your rights and your freedom.

DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS—An Arrest is Not a Conviction.

Don’t ever think that just because the police have found drugs on you that they have “proof” that you are guilty.

If you have been charged with a drug crime, or think you may be charged soon, call Justin Ketchel today for a free legal consultation at 412-456-1221.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

TYPES OF DRUG CHARGES IN PENNSYLVANIA

In Pennsylvania, you can be charged with several different crimes relating to controlled substances. Some of the most common controlled substance crimes charges in PA include:

Drug charges typically depend on the type and amount of drugs found in your possession.

A simple possession charge can send you to jail for a year, plus a $5,000 fine, not to mention all the other fees and court costs.

Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWID) is a felony that can lead you to jail time of anywhere from three to fifteen years and fines ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 depending on the type of drug you are accused of trafficking.

It does not matter what drug charges you are facing, even having possession of a small amount of a controlled substance is a misdemeanor in PA. Whatever the circumstances of your case, you need to have a quality defense in order to avoid the harsh consequences of a conviction.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

POSSIBLE DEFENSES TO YOUR DRUG CHARGES

When it comes to criminal cases, the law is very clear that you are innocent until proven guilty.

Prosecutors are required to show enough evidence to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The evidence comes from the police through their investigation which can include, search and seizure, interviewing of witnesses, and drug testing.

Police officers are required to follow strict rules when they are conducting an investigation, collecting evidence and making arrests. Any improper conduct or failure to follow the law can lead to your charges being dismissed.

An experienced drug attorney will be able to pour over all of the details of your case and make sure that every procedure was properly followed. They will also conduct their own investigation to make sure the facts are correct.

If anything was done improperly, or your rights were violated, your defense attorney will immediately file motions to have evidence thrown out, or even your charges dismissed completely.

Some of the most common defenses to drug charges or controlled substance cases include:

Lack of Probable Cause
This means the police must have reasonable suspicion. Without it, they cannot proceed.
Warrantless Search
Unless immediate action can be proven necessary, police must have a warrant to search your home, car, office, etc.
Lack of Intent or Knowledge of possession
One element of the crime of possession is knowing you had the drug. If you were not aware, you lacked the necessary intent to commit the crime.
The controlled substance in your possession was prescribed by a doctor
Controlled substances are not illegal if you have a valid prescription from a doctor.
The drugs did not belong to you
Perhaps the drugs belonged to a friend or co-worker but were found with your belongings. If the drugs truly belonged to another, you are not guilty of a crime.
Drugs were planted by the police
Police are not perfect and evidence is sometimes planted by police in order to secure and arrest.
Drug Paraphernalia was not an illegal item and there was no intent to use it for drugs
Household items can be used to ingest drugs. However, if the item in question is an ordinary household item that you can prove you did not use for drugs, you cannot be found guilty of a crime.
Drug Test results were improperly obtained or mishandled by police
Drug tests must be administered properly and police must follow specific rules with the handling and collection of samples. Any mistakes can make the results inadmissible in court.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

HOW JUSTIN KETCHEL CAN HELP DRUG OFFENDERS

At Ketchel Law, our number one goal is to have your case dismissed and charges withdrawn. If that is not possible, there are numerous ways of attempting a reduction in sentencing such as probation vs. jail.

We fight for a reduced sentence or charges dismissed completely.

An experienced and aggressive Pennsylvania Drug Lawyer can help by conducting an investigation and digging into the arrest files in order to build a strong defense against the charges.

There are also first-time offender and diversion programs you may be eligible for, such as the Pennsylvania Probation Without Verdict program, in which your criminal record could be expunged

We are skillful attorneys and know how to negotiate with the best interest of our clients in mind. We work with you to find optimal solutions and the best way for you to retain your freedom.

If you were charged with a drug crime, call an experienced drug crime attorney for a free consultation.

We successfully handle cases involving: