If you are facing felony drug charges in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, you could be looking at prison time, stiff fines, and a criminal record that will follow you for life. In addition, a felony charge can make it hard for you to find a job, apply for housing, and vote, among other things, making your life difficult. Because the consequences of felony drug crimes are serious, you may want to consider hiring an attorney as soon as you can.
A drug felony lawyer in Phoenixville, PA, from McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can review your situation and build a defense that could help you avoid being convicted on drug charges. We will work on your behalf to get the charges reduced, dismissed, or dropped. We offer a free initial consultation where we explain your legal options and the possible outcomes in your case.
Drug Possession in Pennsylvania Can Bring State and Federal Charges
Drug possession can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony in Pennsylvania. Per the state’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act, anyone who violates the law by selling or intending to sell a controlled or counterfeit substance that is a Schedule I or Schedule II narcotic drug is guilty of a felony. They can be sentenced to a prison term of up to 15 years and pay a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
- Schedule I drugs are deemed the most dangerous and include marijuana, heroin, LSD, MDMA, and peyote.
- Schedule II drugs include opioid prescription drugs, such as OxyContin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Depending on your charges, you could be facing penalties for:
- Possessing a controlled substance; or
- Selling or planning to sell a controlled substance
We can defend you against either of these charges. Our firm’s founder, David McKenzie, is a former prosecutor who has worked on both sides of the courtroom. Our legal team knows what it takes to represent you and help you seek a better outcome for your situation.
For a free legal consultation with a drug felony lawyer serving Phoenixville, call (610) 680-7842
Understanding PWID in Pennsylvania
A person found guilty of possession with the intent to sell a controlled substance can face harsh state and federal charges. This drug offense is also referred to as possession with the intent to deliver (PWID). The “d” can also stand for “distribute.”
A person could be charged with PWID if they are caught selling a controlled substance.
The type and amount of the drug involved are key factors in a drug felony case. If the drugs in the case were being sold or trafficked is another issue we’ll have to review. Depending on what that drug is and how much of it is found on a person, a felony charge can follow an arrest. Other factors can also be considered, such as if any weapons were involved in the incident or if you have a prior record.
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Is Possible
If you are convicted of a drug felony in Pennsylvania, mandatory minimum sentencing will apply to your case. This means the judge presiding over the case can’t give you less than a certain number of years than the sentence requires, even if this is your first conviction. If you have a prior conviction, you could get more years than the mandatory minimum requires. We will explain these laws and more during your free consultation.
Phoenixville Drug Felony Lawyer Near Me (610) 680-7842
How Our PA Drug Felony Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Much is at stake when you are facing a drug felony charge. Our criminal defense attorney can protect your rights and manage your case from beginning to end. We are here to support you and help you obtain the best possible outcome for you and your family. In these kinds of cases, we:
- Offer counsel that explains your rights and how we will approach and build your defense
- Conduct our investigation into what happened, reviewing the evidence collected and gathering additional evidence to support your position
- Consider negotiating a plea deal, which could get your charges reduced (This can mean paying a lower fine, reducing jail or prison time, or avoiding prison or jail time altogether for a probation sentence)
- Represent you at trial, arguing on your behalf, presenting your side of the story along with our evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and making oral arguments, among other things
We know this is a stressful time, especially with all the uncertainty in the earliest stages of your case. That’s among the reasons why we stay connected with our clients and are accessible by email, text, phone, or social media. We will be there for you throughout your case to offer guidance and more as you manage this difficult period.
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Defenses to Felony Drug Crime Charges in Pennsylvania
Our lawyer managing drug felony cases from Phoenixville, PA, will review the facts and details of your situation and develop a legal strategy that fits your case. We will look at the prosecution’s case against you to spot any weaknesses as we put together your defense.
If we find evidence that law enforcement violated any procedures when you were arrested on felony-level drug charges, we may be able to get the penalties for the charges reduced, dismissed, or dropped. For example, we will look to see if any of the following apply in your situation:
- If the evidence in your Pennsylvania drug felony case was obtained illegally
- If search warrants were issued improperly or without probable cause
- If you were subjected to an illegal search and seizure when the drugs were found, which is a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights
Our team could also argue that you did not intend to sell the drugs in question or that you had no knowledge of having them. We may also show that the drugs did not belong to you. Specifics of each case determine what we can use, but these are a few possible ones.
Our team will carefully review your situation, listen to your account of what happened, and determine what legal recourse is available. You can reach out to us today to go over your case during a free consultation.
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Call Us Today to Review Your Options in Your Phoenixville, PA, Drug Felony Case
It can be overwhelming to face the possibility of your life changing forever if you are convicted of a felony drug crime in Pennsylvania. However, it is important to remember that even if you face serious drug-related charges, you still have rights and can hire an attorney to ensure they remain intact as you defend yourself.
You will want to do this sooner rather than later. The prosecution is building its case against you, so you should have legal representation on your side to prepare you for what’s to come. Call us today at (610) 991-7219 to learn more about how a drug felony lawyer in Phoenixville, PA, can help you. We serve clients in the Chester County, PA, area and would be glad to review your case.
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