In Pennsylvania, drug trafficking is also known as “possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.” If police accuse you of this offense or you are already facing charges, you need to understand the serious penalties you could face if convicted.
Montgomery County drug trafficking defense lawyer David C. McKenzie III and his staff at the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can explain the nature of these allegations and help you fight them. We will remain by your side throughout the entire process, working for a favorable outcome. Call our office today at 610-680-7842 for a no-obligation initial consultation with a drug trafficking lawyer in Montgomery County.
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Is a Serious Offense.
To convict you of this type of drug crime, the prosecution must provide evidence to prove you:
- Possessed an illegal drug; and
- Gave it to someone else or intended to give it to someone else.
In many cases, prosecutors charge drug trafficking as a felony. If it involved crossing state lines, you could even face federal charges. In general, some of the factors that determine the severity of your charges include:
- The drug you had in your possession or allegedly previously possessed;
- The amount of the drug in question; and
- Your criminal record.
While the penalties that come with a conviction vary depending on the severity of the charges, you might be facing a mandatory minimum sentence in jail or prison and significant fines.
In some cases, we might be able to negotiate community control instead of incarceration. This means you will report to a probation officer regularly, undergo drug testing, and follow other conditions the judge places on you.
Consequences of a Drug Trafficking Conviction in Pennsylvania
Aside from possible jail time and fines, there are also many other consequences of having a drug trafficking conviction on your record. Even after you serve your sentence or your probation is over, your criminal record could haunt you for decades. You might experience problems like:
- Losing your job;
- Having to explain your conviction to a new employer;
- Being unable to pass a background check;
- Having trouble getting approved to rent an apartment or house;
- Losing the right to own a gun;
- Losing your parental rights; or
- Being unable to obtain professional licenses.
If possible, we will try to prevent you from facing a conviction, or we will fight for the most lenient sentence available based on the facts of your case. We do not believe you should have to pay for one mistake for the rest of your life.
Get Help From a Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer
As drug crime defense law firm, our goal is always to help our clients get the most favorable outcome possible in their case. We make every effort possible to put a strong criminal defense strategy in place and make it difficult for the prosecution to win a case against you. Some of the services we provide include:
- Protecting your rights during interrogation, and throughout the criminal justice process;
- Providing legal advice, support, and guidance every step of the way;
- Representing your best interests to the prosecution, judge, and jury;
- Presenting all available evidence to illustrate your side of the story;
- Advocating on your behalf for lesser charges or a more lenient sentence; and
- Arguing your case in court.
One of the first things we do after you ask us to help you fight your drug trafficking charges is to take a close look at the circumstances that led to your arrest. This investigation might uncover important evidence to help us prove you did not possess drugs or show you had no intention to distribute them. We will also carefully analyze the actions of the police who arrested and questioned you, to ensure your rights were not violated.
If you or a family member is facing accusations or is under suspicion of this type of crime, we encourage you to reach out to our team as soon as possible. While we can provide representation no matter where you are in the process, if we get involved before the prosecution files charges, we can:
- Protect your rights and accompany you during interrogations;
- Stand with you and represent you during your arraignment;
- Offer support and guidance during this stressful time; and
- Attempt to negotiate with the prosecution for a lesser charge.
Possible Outcomes of Your Drug Trafficking Case
No two cases are the same, which is why we have to build a defense strategy based on the specific facts of your case. Because of this, there is no way to guarantee a positive result in your case. However, we will fight for a more favorable outcome every step of the way.
Some of the most common outcomes we see in these cases include:
- We successfully negotiate a plea deal with prosecutors, and our clients plead guilty to a lesser charge like drug possession;
- The accused tries to negotiate their case without an attorney, pleads guilty to the charges, and receives a significant sentence;
- Our client pleads guilty in exchange for a more lenient sentence;
- The jury finds our client guilty, and we try to negotiate a more lenient sentence; or
- We represent our client in court, present a strong case, and the jury finds our client not guilty.
Talk to a Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Montgomery County About Your Case
At the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., our team is ready to help you fight drug trafficking charges. We can protect your rights and aggressively defend you to try and get the most positive outcome possible in your case.
You can reach attorney David C. McKenzie III and his team today by calling 610-680-7842 today. We offer no-obligation case reviews to those facing charges in Montgomery County.
