In most cases, a possession of paraphernalia charge will stay on your record in Pennsylvania.
If you were charged but found innocent, you may be eligible to have the charge expunged from your legal record. If you were convicted, then, in most cases it will stay on your record.
Based on Pennsylvania law, there are a few situations in which a possession of paraphernalia conviction can be expunged, including:
- If the defendant has been dead for three years.
- If the defendant is now over the age of 70 and has not been arrested in the past 10 years.
The penalties for being convicted of a possession of paraphernalia charge in Pennsylvania can follow you for the rest of your life. A drug paraphernalia possession lawyer can help you fight your charges. If you are facing paraphernalia possession charges, contact the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. today at 610-680-7842.
What Types of Charges Can Be Expunged in PA?
Pennsylvania expungement law allows convictions called “summary offenses” to be expunged from your record. These are normally minor convictions and misdemeanors, including:
- Underage drinking
- Disorderly conduct
- Loitering
- Minor retail theft
In most cases, these types of offenses can be expunged in five years if you maintain a clear record. Convictions that occur when you are a minor may be eligible for expungement after your 18th birthday.
Types of Drug Paraphernalia
Per Pennsylvania law, drug paraphernalia can cover a wide range of items used to plant, grow, harvest, manufacture, produce, prepare, test, pack, store, conceal, inhale, or otherwise ingest controlled substances.
Drug paraphernalia might include:
- Rolling papers
- Clips
- Pipes
- Bongs
- Tin foil
- Spoons
- Needles
- Lab equipment
If you are facing a drug paraphernalia possession charge in Pennsylvania, contact a drug charge defense lawyer from the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. today at 610-680-7842.
Fighting a Drug Paraphernalia Possession Charge
A lawyer at our firm can help you fight the charges to prevent a conviction. Some of the strategies we may use include:
- Challenge the chain of evidence and cast doubt on the evidence itself.
- Argue that the paraphernalia was not in your possession.
- Argue that the items being described as paraphernalia were not used for growing, making, packaging, or ingesting drugs.
- Questioning the methods by which you were detained, searched, or arrested.
The approach we will take will depend upon the facts of your case and the specific charges you face.
Contact a Drug Paraphernalia Possession Lawyer in PA Today
If you are facing drug paraphernalia possession charges, you do not have to face the legal process alone. As a former criminal prosecutor, attorney David McKenzie has inside knowledge about how prosecutors work. Let us put this knowledge to work to protect your rights.
Our team is here to protect your rights and your future. Contact the legal team at the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. today at 610-680-7842 for a free consultation.
