Drug Crimes

Chester County Drug Crimes

If you’re facing charges or arrest for drug crimes, drug possession, controlled substances, drug delivery or trafficking offenses in or around southeast Pennsylvania, the defense attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices have the experience and skill to help defend you effectively and discreetly. Do not wait to be charged but look for our consultation and representation during the investigative stage or while you are the target of a drug related prosecution. Learn more about our Legal Team. Contact us by email or call (610) 692-8700. Contact us for a free consultation now.

We represent clients charged with such Pennsylvania drug offenses as:

Marijuana Possession
Small Amount of Marijuana or “pot”
Drug Paraphernalia including, pot pipes, baggies, needles, scales, etc.
Marijuana Dealing Distribution and Trafficking
Cultivating, Manufacturing, Growing or Possession of Marijuana Plants
Cocaine Possession or Trafficking
Juvenile Drug Crimes including possession or delivery in a school
Prescription Fraud and Forged Prescriptions
School Zone Sentencing Enhancements

With drug crimes becoming more prevalent over the years, many states, including Pennsylvania, have enacted harsh penalties for those convicted for drug-related offenses. Even for seemingly minor infractions, offenders face the possibility of jail time, steep fines, and a criminal background that can interfere with future opportunities.

Many drug accusations are filed as the result of a search, and sometimes these searches may violate your constitutional rights. In order to fight for your rights and protect your future, the help of an experienced legal professional could make a big difference in whether you have the best possible outcome.

West Chester Drug Charges Lawyer

Ciccarelli Law offices defends individuals and their families facing serious drug related offenses including drug and narcotics crimes, possession and delivery or trafficking crimes in Pennsylvania. Our Pennsylvania criminal lawyers have been handling drug cases for more than 50 years and look to help clients avoid having these charges lead to serious jail time and a permanent mark on their criminal record.

We have successfully defended clients against narcotics and controlled substances charges such as: marijuana possession, cocaine possession, possession with intent to deliver, drug paraphernalia, cultivation or growing of marijuana, prescription fraud or forgery and drug offenses in school zones.

The legal team at Ciccarelli Law Offices knows how stressful facing a drug charge can be, and we are determined to help every client through every step of the criminal proceedings. With a proactive approach to your defense, our attorneys can seek out a weakness in the prosecution’s case and seek to have your charges reduced or dismissed before you even set foot in court.

To start taking the right steps to defend your future, call (610) 692-8700 today to schedule your free consultation. Our team proudly serves the West Chester area, with offices in West Chester, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Malvern, Radnor, Kennett Square, Springfield, Plymouth Meeting and King of Prussia, along with anywhere in Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County or Lancaster County.

Having an experienced Pennsylvania Criminal Defense attorney with established credibility and a reputation for success at trial can be an invaluable asset in these matters. Our defense often begins before you have been arrested and before you have spoken to the police. Look to our team to protect you. If this is your first arrest for drug possession, there is a good chance that our attorney can get you placed into a diversion program that will keep a conviction off your record. In cases where trial is the best option, we will work with you to combat the legality of any arrest or search, combat the prosecutions’s case and work to put the case in the best posture. Where directed, we will also use or skills as litigators and negotiators to negotiate a reduction in the charges and/or penalties.

No two cases are the same, but our experience and commitment to case preparation can have a strong bearing on how your case turns out. Where possible, we will involve defense investigators and other experts in preparing your defense. We work with the client in establishing what their particular goals and desires are in a serious criminal case and will work with them in establishing a defense plan. In many cases, early initiative in developing and executing your defense strategy can play a key role in the ultimate outcome of the case.

Pennsylvania Drug Charges Information Center

Schedules of Drugs Under Pennsylvania Law

As drug problems increase across the country, state and federal laws are becoming more stringent, in the hopes of combating the growing drug trade. With many different types of controlled substances in question, there is a system that categorizes drugs into “schedules.” The following are examples of some of the drugs in the different schedules.

Schedule I

Marijuana, Heroin, LSD (acid), MDMA (ecstasy)

Schedule II

Cocaine, Oxycodone, Methamphetamine (Meth)

Schedule III

Vicodin, Anabolic Steroids, some Barbiturates, Ketamine

Schedule IV

Valium, Xanax, Soma, Klonopin

Schedule V

Cough suppressants that contain a certain amount of codeine and other prescription drugs

Drug Charges in Chester County

Possession of drugs without a valid prescription or other license is illegal and can lead to jail time, fines, and a criminal record. The possible penalties vary depending on what drug was found and in what quantity, but all have serious consequences. Most simple possession charges are filed as misdemeanors.

In addition, Pennsylvania law states that it is illegal to possess paraphernalia, meaning any tool or equipment used for ingesting drugs. This includes bongs, pipes, and manufacturing materials. Penalties for this type of offense also vary, but can include up to 1 year in prison and a $2,500 fine. Selling paraphernalia is also a criminal offense, which leads to caution on the part of vendors.

Drug offenses which involve distribution or the selling of drugs fall under possession with intent to deliver (PWID). These charges carry much more severe penalties. The decision of whether to charge you with PWID or simple possession usually depends on the quantity of the drug in question, but can also be influenced by evidence such as large amounts of cash.

For Schedules I, II, and III drugs, a PWID charge carries the possibility of up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000. Schedule IV drugs carry up to 3 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, while schedule V drugs are considered a misdemeanor and can be punished by up to 1 year in prison and $5,000 in fines. If a minor was involved in the distribution, however, there is a minimum of a 1 year prison sentence.

In the case of large amounts of certain drugs, you could face a trafficking charge. These offenses carry heavy penalties, as law enforcement seeks to cut out the sources of drug trade. If you were in possession of more than 100 grams of heroin, 10 grams of methamphetamines, or more than 5 grams of cocaine base, you could face a trafficking charge. The penalties increase according to the quantity of drugs involved, and both state and federal trafficking charges carry mandatory prison time and fines.

Federal and State Charges in Pennsylvania Courts

The federal government also has laws prohibiting the distribution, manufacture and even possession of controlled substances. The federal drugs laws are largely the same as Pennsylvania’s. However, federal charges are heard in federal court, and any punishment will be in federal prisons — which, contrary to what you may have heard, are not “country clubs.”

Your West Chester criminal defense lawyer must be licensed in federal courts to be able to represent you. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we are licensed to practice in Pennsylvania federal courts.

While federal law makes mere possession of a controlled substance illegal, the feds tend to pursue larger charges, like drug trafficking. Several agencies, including the FBI, may enforce federal drug laws, but the Drug Enforcement Agency is dedicated entirely to enforcing the Controlled Substances Act.

It is possible to face charges in both courts. For instance, you could be charged with possession in federal court and trafficking in Pennsylvania’s Court.

West Chester Drug Defense Resources

RAND Drug Policy Research Center: The RAND Institute is a nonprofit organization that studies public policy, including drug criminalization.

Drug Policy Alliance: The Drug Policy Alliance advocates for sensible policy on controlled substances.

Ciccarelli Law Offices | Chester County Drug Defense Attorney

Call Our Chester County Drug Crime Lawyer

While there are no guarantees in criminal defense law, understanding your rights and the legal options available to you can improve your chances for defending yourself from charges involving illegal drugs in Chester County, Pennsylvania. As a Pennsylvania criminal defense firm with years of experience in our criminal justice system, we understand how to negotiate with the court, how to identify questionable police conduct and suspicious testimony, and prevent clients from making certain kinds of mistakes.

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Pennsylvania Drug Crimes lawyers are both passionate in what they do and compassionate in our clients individual criminal cases. You deserve a West Chester Drug Crime lawyer who ready to fight and represent you during the investigative stage and after the charges are filed with the court. Call our team of criminal defense lawyers today for legal questions or for a free case evaluation

Fighting Drug Charges in Pennsylvania

Drug charges are becoming increasingly common across the country. They carry serious penalties that can affect your entire future and should not be taken lightly. The legal team at Ciccarelli Law Offices is experienced as handling a wide range of drug charge scenarios, and they can confidently defend your future. If your facing a charge like possession, manufacturing, or trafficking in the West Chester area, including Downingtown, Exton or Coatesville, call (610) 692-8700 today to schedule your free consultation about your unique situation.