If you or a loved one has been accused of drug possession or any other drug-related crime, a lawyer from our firm can help. We proudly serve Philadelphia-based clients who have been accused of or arrested for a wide variety of crimes.
If we take your case, we can get started on building your defense and working on getting you home as soon as possible. We do everything possible to help our clients avoid convictions and resume their normal lives.
Getting Legal Help is Easy with the Team at M.J. Snyder
The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC., strives to support all of our clients in every way possible. One client reported that our prompt response to client calls and our tireless work ethic provided them with a sense of “comfort” and much-needed peace of mind during a difficult time.
Among other things, a drug possession lawyer from our firm can help you with your Philadelphia case by:
- Advising you of your options: To help you make the best possible legal decisions, we take the time to explain your rights and what approach may work best in your
- Reviewing evidence: We can review all of the evidence that has already been collected in your case and the method of collection. If the authorities violated your rights to get any evidence, we can move to suppress that material.
- Conducting an independent investigation: This could mean collecting police reports, eyewitness statements, or audiovisual footage—anything we can use to build the strongest possible case.
- Negotiating a plea: We can fight to get the charges against you reduced. This could mean lower fines, less time on probation or in prison, and less strain on you and your family.
- Arguing for a dismissal: If we can build a strong enough case, we might be able to get all charges against you dropped. If this happens, you will be free to go home right away.
- Representing you in the courtroom: If your case goes to trial, we can submit evidence, find and examine witnesses, make oral arguments, and much more.
The Penalties for Drug Possession Can Be Serious
Section 4 of The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act contains a complete list of all controlled substances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Those who are caught or allegedly caught with such substances can face a lifetime of consequences.
Per Section 13(b) of The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act, the penalties for a first drug possession conviction may include:
- A maximum prison sentence of three years
- A maximum fine of $5,000
If you are convicted more than once, you could be compelled to pay a fine of up to $25,000 in addition to the three-year prison sentence.
Restitution
If convicted, you could receive more than just a prison sentence or a fine. Depending on what crimes you are convicted of, the judge may compel you to pay restitution.
“Restitution” means reimbursing the authorities for the cost of dismantling a drug lab (per 18 Pa. C.S.A. §1110) or reimbursing any individual who suffered property loss or damage or personal injury due to the alleged crime (per 18 Pa. C.S.A. §1106). Your financial status or (in)ability to pay will not affect whether the judge decides to order you to pay restitution.
Intangible Penalties
The penalties described above can have an outsized impact on your:
- Finances: Paying fines could put a big strain on you, while a long prison sentence can prevent you from going to work.
- Career: A conviction can cost you your job and make it harder for you to find another position.
- Family: A prison sentence will take you away from your family, including those who are dependent on you. Some relatives may even decide to cut you out of their lives.
- Social life: Friends and acquaintances may be reluctant to associate with someone with a criminal record.
- Mental health: Going to court, long prison sentences, and knowing that the criminal justice system considers you guilty can all negatively affect your psychological well-being.
The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC., team works hard to protect our clients and their families from such penalties. To help as many people as possible, we offer all callers a free consultation. This will:
- Take only a few minutes: A member of our team can listen to each caller’s story and assess it quickly.
- Tell you if we can help: This one brief call is all we need to figure out if we can help you or your loved one. If so, we can schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
- Cost you nothing: This initial consultation is completely free.
- Place you under no obligation: After the consultation, it is up to you to decide whether you retain our services or not; we never force callers to accept our services.
Evidence That Could Help You Win Your Case
Each case is different. The types of evidence we seek to get your charges reduced or dropped will depend on the specifics of your case. However, not all evidence lasts forever. The sooner we can start work on your case, the better chance we have of gathering crucial evidence, such as:
- Eyewitness statements: It is always best to talk to eyewitnesses as soon as possible after the alleged crime. This way, they are more likely to still be in the area and clearly remember the event.
- Witness materials: A witness with important video footage or photos may be less likely to have deleted such footage if we talk to them quickly.
- Security video: Businesses with security cameras may delete footage after a certain period of time.
- Expert and character witness statements: Testimony from relevant experts or people who know you can be critical. However, like everyone else, these witnesses have their own lives and schedules. It is best to give potential witnesses as much time as possible to write up a statement.
Call Our Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC., can provide you with a Philadelphia drug possession lawyer and is dedicated to protecting your rights. Call us at any time. We have team members standing by to give you a free, no-obligation consultation.
