Synthetic Drug Charges in Pennsylvania | Ketchel Law

SYNTHETIC OR DESIGNER DRUGS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Designer or synthetic drugs have become more popular in recent years. They can be made with easy to obtain, over-the-counter products and can be difficult to detect using routine drug testing equipment.

However, they are still considered a controlled substance if they are made with the intent of human consumption and have a similar effect on the body as more traditional drugs. This means that if convicted of being in possession of a designer or synthetic drug, you face the same penalty as any other controlled substance in a similar category.

Penalties for possession of a controlled substance range from a misdemeanor to a felony and include jail time, heavy fines and license suspension.

Having a drug conviction on your permanent record can make it difficult for you to find or keep a job, gain admission into school and secure housing, loans, or financing in the future.

Hiring a knowledgeable and qualified Drug Defense Attorney is the best way to protect yourself and your future.

An experienced 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.

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

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

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

WHAT IS A SYNTHETIC OR DESIGNER DRUG?

Synthetic drugs are usually made by chemists with a number of ingredients sold over-the-counter. They are created with the intention of mimicking the effects of more commonly known drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. These drugs have caused a problem for law enforcement and law makers because they are constantly changing the ingredients and the types of drugs available.

In order to get around this problem, the vague phrase “designer drug” is used to cover all of these synthetically made drugs. If it can be proven that a person is in possession of a designer drug and knew that what they possessed was a designer drug, they have committed a crime.

Synthetic or designer drugs are sold under many different names and can come in a wide variety of forms including liquids, salts, pills, and powders. This also means there are a wide range of ways to use the drugs. They can be inhaled, smoked, injected, swallowed, or snorted. Some of the names of common designer drugs include Spice, Joker, Flakka, Cloud 9, and Black Mamba.

Regardless of the type of designer drug or its chemical makeup, they are considered controlled substances and possession of them is a crime.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR MARIJUANA CHARGES DISMISSED.

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

PUNISHMENT FOR POSSESSION OF SYNTHETIC OR DESIGNER DRUGS

In Pennsylvania, drugs, or controlled substances, are put into categories that are called schedules. Schedule I drugs are the most addictive and have no known medical use. It includes drugs like cocaine and heroin. Synthetic, or designer, drugs fall into this category.

The punishment for possession of drugs depends on the schedule, or category, of the drug and the amount of the drug in possession. You can be charged with simple possession for a smaller amount, intended for personal use.

However, if the amount is larger, it is assumed that it was intended for distribution and you can be charged with the more serious crime of Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWID), also known as drug trafficking.

Simple possession of a synthetic or designer drug is a misdemeanor. It carries a maximum penalty of:

Up to one year in jail
Up to $5,000 in fines

PWID, or Trafficking, of a synthetic or designer drug carries a maximum penalty of:

Up to five years in jail
- If you are found guilty of trafficking designer drugs to a minor, you will receive a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail.
Up to $15,000 in fines

Drug penalties increase for repeat offenders.

Pennsylvania also has drug diversion programs available to qualified first time offenders which prevents them from serving jail time and helps keep their criminal record clean.

A knowledgeable Pittsburgh Drug Attorney is the best way to determine if you qualify for such a program.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

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

Defending Your Rights—An Arrest is Not a Conviction

Just because you have been charged with possession of designer drugs does not mean you will be convicted. You are presumed innocent of all charges unless a judge or jury finds you guilty.

At Ketchel Law, our greatest strength lies in critically analyzing and dissecting the details of a police officer’s report looking for inherent weaknesses and questioning the testimony of any experts or witnesses.

At Ketchel Law, we listen to all of our clients closely because we know that the slightest detail can make a difference in winning or losing a case.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: HAVING YOUR POSSESSION OF DRUGS CASE DISMISSED.

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