Pittsburgh Cocaine Lawyer

Cocaine Possession Charges in Pennsylvania

What Happens When You Are Charged with Cocaine Possession in PA?

Being arrested or charged with cocaine can be seriously damaging to your future. Drug penalties upon conviction in Pennsylvania are very severe: one year in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense of a minimal amount of cocaine.

If you or your family member has recently been charged with cocaine possession, Ketchel Law is here to help answer your questions about the penalties you face.

We can help you understand sentencing guidelines, the court process, and how you can fight for your rights and keep your freedom.

This website contains general information on drug charges in PA, but for detailed information on your unique circumstances, call an experienced Pittsburgh Cocaine Lawyer like Attorney Ketchel.

An Arrest is Not a Conviction. 

Being charged with cocaine possession does not mean
that the police have “proof” you are guilty.

If you have been charged with simple possession of cocaine or possession with intent to deliver (PWID) cocaine, call Ketchel Law today. We will help you understand your legal situation and build a strong case to defend your rights.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR COCAINE CHARGES DISMISSED.

IF THE COPS CATCH YOU, CALL KETCHEL: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

PENALTIES IN PA FOR A COCAINE CONVICTION

Many different factors will determine whether you are charged with simple possession of cocaine (a misdemeanor) or possession with intent to deliver (PWID) cocaine (a felony).

If you have been charged with simple possession of cocaine, the police or arresting officers did not find any cause to charge you with attempting to distribute the cocaine. Simple possession means the police suspected the cocaine was for your own personal use.

PWID of cocaine is a felony and has much more serious repercussions upon conviction. Possession of Intent to Deliver Cocaine charges means that you were suspected of delivering, manufacturing, selling, dealing, transporting or distributing the cocaine.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: HAVING YOUR COCAINE CHARGES DISMISSED.

Penalties of a Cocaine Conviction could include: 

  • Time in Jail or a Lengthy Prison Sentence
  • Substantial Court Costs, Legal Expenses And Fines
  • Loss or Suspension of Driver’s License
  • Forfeiture of Property And Assets
  • Prohibition from Owning and Carrying a Firearm
  • Loss of Employment
  • Loss of Parental Rights
  • Significantly HigherInsurance Premiums
  • Inability to Obtain Insurance Coverage
  • Loss of Eligibility for College Financial Aid
  • Difficulty Finding Employment

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR COCAINE CHARGES DISMISSED.

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

Penalties in Pennsylvania for a Simple Possession of Cocaine Conviction

Being charged with simple possession of cocaine for a first offender could mean up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine as well as other court fees and a misdemeanor on your criminal record. If it is your second offense, you could be sentenced to up to two years in prison.

To be considered “in your possession”, the cocaine merely needs to be somewhere near you — it could be found in your home or in your car.

Penalties could include driver’s license suspension by PennDOT and other losses of basic freedoms, like owning a firearm or losing parental rights of your children.

The charges for cocaine possession could also go on your permanent record—which will limit your future opportunities for jobs, colleges, housing and insurance.

Previous arrests or other criminal charges will have an impact on additional penalties (longer jail time and bigger fines) tacked on to your sentencing, if convicted.

An experienced Pittsburgh Drug Attorney can help you try to get your charges lessened or dropped altogether, which could mean a drastic reduction in sentencing and punishment.

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. These treatment programs aim to get help for people with addictions and are an alternative to prison.

Call Justin J. Ketchel for a free consultation of your case to learn more.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR COCAINE CHARGES DISMISSED.

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

Penalties in Pennsylvania for a PWID of Cocaine Conviction

Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWID) cocaine is a felony and comes with much stricter penalties than cocaine simple possession charges.

Possession with Intent to Deliver cocaine charges means the arresting officers suspected you of manufacturing, storing, selling, distributing, trafficking or transporting cocaine. PWID is also known as drug trafficking.

A conviction for PWID cocaine or drug trafficking can have severe consequences for you and your family. Penalties could include forfeiture of property, drivers’ license suspension, large fines and prison sentencing.

PWID Sentencing for less than two grams of cocaine in Pennsylvania, first offense:

If you are convicted of PWID of two grams or less of cocaine you face a felony, up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine under PA law. If you have prior convictions, these penalties could be doubled or raised significantly.

PWID Sentencing for two to ten grams of cocaine in Pennsylvania, first offense:

A PWID conviction of two to ten grams of cocaine for a first offense is a felony and comes with a sentence of up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Two or more offenses could mean up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Penalties for a PWID cocaine conviction will be much greater if you are found guilty of selling drugs in a school zone or to a minor.

For a list of penalties for other drug-related charges read our page on Drug Conviction Penalties in Pennsylvania.

A strong drug attorney with experience will fight to get your PWID charges reduced to a Simple Possession charge or a Not Guilty verdict.

If you were arrested for PWID and the drugs were for your own personal use, our attorneys will work to have your sentencing reduced.

PITTSBURGH DRUG CRIME ATTORNEYS

CALL KETCHEL LAW: 412-456-1221. 

DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS—An arrest is not a conviction.

A possession of cocaine charge does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. You are presumed innocent of all charges unless a judge or jury finds you guilty.

Even so, Pennsylvania and U.S. prosecutors take cocaine cases very seriously and will do everything they can to get a conviction.

A skilled drug defense attorney will vehemently battle all charges to protect your rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. Call Attorney Justin Ketchel today at 412-456-1221 for a free consultation of your case.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR COCAINE CHARGES DISMISSED.

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

WHAT CAN A PITTSBURGH COCAINE LAWYER DO FOR YOU?

A skilled cocaine attorney could use a number of defenses to battle your cocaine charges and have them reduced, expunged or dropped altogether.

At Ketchel Law, we fully investigate every case to ensure that the rights of our clients have not been violated. We will examine every angle of your case and the circumstances surrounding your charges. We will speak with witnesses and identify any problems with police procedures.

There could be evidence that your Constitutional Rights were violated during the time of arrest or when officials searched the area where the cocaine was located. If police cannot prove probable cause and reasonable suspicion, evidence could be suppressed and your case will be dismissed. For instance, if the police charged you during a traffic violation, did they have probable cause to search your car?

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.

COCAINE DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY

There are also a number of drug diversion and probationary programs in Allegheny County that are available to first-time offenders such as Probation Without Verdict (PWOV), which will result in a full dismissal of charges and expungement of your criminal record. These treatment programs are an alternative to serving out a jail sentence.

Severe penalties punish not only the defendant but also their families. That is why we work hard to find the best solution for our clients. Contact Attorney Ketchel for a free consultation to find out if you are eligible or could qualify for application to a drug diversionary program.

We are experienced 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.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: HAVING YOUR COCAINE CHARGES DISMISSED.

Talk to an experienced attorney for a free consultation about whether you may be eligible to have your record expunged and how best to fight your charges.

A drug charge does not have to mean a drug conviction.

Learn More About Drug Charges in Pennsylvania: