Drug-related charges can potentially ruin your life, as you may face time in prison, stiff fines, and damage to your reputation. If you are under investigation for drug crimes or are already in custody, legal assistance from a Springfield criminal defense attorney is just a phone call away.
A Springfield drug crimes lawyer from McKenzie Law Firm can investigate the criminal charges against you, protect your rights, and build a defense to employ in court against the prosecution. We will not rest until the prosecution drops the charges, a jury delivers a verdict, or we strike a deal in your case.
Drug crimes include the manufacture, possession, and distribution of substances that have the potential for abuse. Such drugs include heroin, methamphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and others.
In some states, marijuana is also illegal to manufacture, possess, and distribute. In Pennsylvania, marijuana is illegal, but possession of small amounts has been decriminalized in some jurisdictions. Senate Bill 846 aims to legalize adult recreational use in the state, but its future is undecided.
The biggest concern you may have is what penalties you face if a jury convicts you of the drug charges against you. Each case is different, and penalties vary widely.
According to The Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device, and Cosmetic Act, offenders can face up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for felony drug charges (such as manufacturing and distributing a controlled substance). Even some misdemeanor charges can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
The Schedule of the drug you face charges for manufacturing, possessing, or distributing will also play a role in sentencing. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), there are five drug schedules. Schedule I drugs have the highest potential for abuse and fewest legitimate medical uses, and Schedule V drugs have the lowest potential for abuse and most legitimate medical uses. Examples of drugs in each Schedule include
Outside the criminal justice system, you may face additional penalties for drug crimes that can negatively impact your life. You could suffer damage to your reputation in the community. You could also lose your job, your professional license, and even your home if you can no longer afford to pay for it due to fines or jail time. You will also likely suffer strain on your relationships with family and friends.
You could have greater difficulty getting a loan after conviction, and you could lose custody of your children. A criminal record can follow you for the rest of your life. A Springfield drug crimes lawyer from our firm may be able to help mitigate the damage as we fight the charges against you.
Facing criminal drug charges is scary, and fighting the charges yourself is generally inadvisable. The legal process is full of technical language, motions, bail considerations, paperwork, and other moving parts that a Springfield drug crimes attorney can help you navigate.
If you obtain legal representation from a criminal defense lawyer at our firm, we can:
Your Springfield drug charges lawyer will walk you through every facet of the legal system as your case progresses and keep you in the loop with frequent updates on your case. We will defend your rights and work to keep you out of jail, so you can continue working at your job and maintaining your personal relationships.
You may be able to play a significant role in your defense if you make bail, but you might also have to remain in custody. Either way, that won’t stop your Springfield drug defense lawyer from our firm from building a defense strategy in preparation to fight for you in court.
There are several possible defenses our law firm may employ in your case, including:
You have the power to reject or approve any defenses we suggest. But we strongly recommend listening to your Springfield drug charges attorney and considering your options. This is your life, and there is a lot at stake.
Drug charges can ruin your life, especially if the prosecution can convict you. You could spend years in prison or pay a financially devastating fine. Your career could be at stake as well as your reputation within the community.
Attorney David McKenzie at McKenzie Law Firm may be able to help you by providing a competent and thorough defense. We will stand up for you at every hearing and work to convince the court to reduce or dismiss the charges against you. To schedule a consultation with our firm, please contact us today.
