A strong defense team can make all the distinction in achieving the best possible result. At Regan Law Firm, our group of attorneys is experienced in dealing with drug ownership cases. We are experienced in navigating the legal system and will guarantee your rights are safeguarded. We will always work to accomplish the finest possible outcome including your drug possession charge.

Get a free evaluation of your drug crime case by calling (484) 838-5862 to speak with a drug crime defense lawyer in Allentown.

A person can be found guilty of possession if he or she knowingly possesses illegal drugs. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to possess a controlled substance without a prescription from a doctor.

Penalties for possession can include:

If you are caught with up to 30 grams of marijuana, can face penalties of:

For more than 30 grams of marijuana you can face:

Possession or transportation of GHB (a date rape drug) is a felony, and carries a fine of up to $250,000, up to 15 years in prison or both.

In a possession case, the defendant and his attorney should answer several questions before deciding how to proceed with the case:

If the questions above result in unfavorable answers, the defendant may decide it is in his best interest to enter into plea negotiations with the District Attorney’s office. If he or she has no prior convictions, he /she may be eligible for a first offender program, such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, or a Section 17 disposition. In both of these programs he / she will be placed on probation. Upon successful completion of the ARD probation, the charges are dismissed, and the defendant can file for expungement of the arrest. With the completion of the Section 17 probation, the charges are automatically expunged. Another option is to attempt to plead the charges to a lesser crime, such as a summary offense Disorderly Conduct, which usually results in a small fine.

In addition to the possession of illegal drugs, Pennsylvania also has penalties for the possession of the compounds used to manufacture them. For example, transporting or possessing liquefied ammonia, when not used for approved agriculture, may result in fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years. Liquefied ammonia gas, ammonium sulfate, red phosphorous, or another specified precursor to controlled dangerous substances, with the express intent to make a controlled substance, can result in up to $15,000 in fines and/or 7 years in prison.

In Pennsylvania, if a person makes, grows, sells, or possesses drugs with the intent to distribute, that person can be charged with distribution. Depending on the drug distributed, a person convicted for the first time under this law could face a maximum sentence of anywhere between one to fifteen years, and a fine between $5000 and $250,000. The maximum potential sentence doubles if the person has a prior conviction for distribution.

The penalties associated with the growing or distribution of marijuana is based on the amount and whether it was sold or given away:

• It is also illegal to make, sell, or advertise paraphernalia used to take drugs, or possess devices intended for drug use. Paraphernalia is a broad term including anything used to grow, process, sell, or use marijuana.

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• Penalties for selling or manufacturing paraphernalia include:

• Selling paraphernalia to a minor who is at least three years younger than the seller incurs increased penalties. These penalties may include a fine of up to $5,000, up to two years in prison, or both.

In Pennsylvania, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia is classified as an ungraded misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail. Drug paraphernalia includes any object used or designed for the use of packaging, containing, transporting, growing, creating or ingesting a controlled substance. Examples of drug paraphernalia include:

• If it contains a drug, such as a cardboard box containing marijuana, then it is drug paraphernalia. If it is intended to ingest a drug, such as a pipe or bong, then it may be considered drug paraphernalia.

  If you or a loved one are facing drug charges, contact the experienced Pennsylvania drug crime defense attorney at Regan Law Firm. He has more than a decade of experience and can help you look for options during your initial case evaluation -- it is free of charge and confidential. Call (484) 838-5862 today.