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 Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC.
Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. strives to support all our clients in every way that we can. One client reported that our prompt response to their 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 case in Philadelphia 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 case.
- Reviewing evidence: We can review all the evidence that has already been collected in your case, as well as the ways that the evidence was collected. 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 audio/visual 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.
For a free legal consultation with a drug possession lawyer serving Philadelphia, call 215.515.3360
Why Those Facing Drug Possession Charges Should Hire an Attorney
If you or a loved one are facing drug possession charges in Philadelphia, hiring an attorney should be your first course of action. For most, trying to face prosecutors, judges, and other adversaries without an attorney is extremely risky—not to mention unnecessary.
Should you fail to hire a capable criminal defense attorney, you may:
- Be overwhelmed by the legal process: Trying to manage your case without an attorney’s help may quickly overwhelm you. You may be concerned with issues like bail and may have preexisting responsibilities that you must tend to. Trying to lead an effective defense on your own could prove extremely challenging, if not impossible.
- Be exposed to manipulation: The prosecutor handling your case will have prior experience, and perhaps a lot of it. You likely do not have prior experience negotiating a plea or defending yourself from criminal charges. This gap in experience may expose you to manipulation. In criminal proceedings, the cost of being manipulated could be steep.
- Suffer consequences that could have been avoided: When you hire an attorney, there is never a guarantee that they will achieve a dismissal or reduction in charges. However, an attorney could achieve either of these outcomes. If you fail to hire an attorney and you do not get the case result you hope for, you may always wonder why you didn’t hire a lawyer to defend you.
It’s not enough to hire an attorney—you want to hire the right attorney.
Philadelphia Drug Possession Lawyer 215.515.3360
Why Choose Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. to Represent You?
You may want a law firm that has roots in the Philadelphia area. Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. checks that box. You may also seek an attorney with relevant experience. Ms. Snyder and Ms. Shaw are both former public defenders who understand the justice system in Philadelphia.
Prospective clients like you should know that:
- We have a reputation for excellence
- We have a track record of favorable outcomes for our clients
- We will seek the best possible outcome for your case, whether that comes through plea negotiations or at trial
- We act quickly to form a thorough defense
- We aim to give honest, accurate legal advice at every turn of your case
Once you hire our team, you won’t have to worry about your case. We’ll lead your defense and inform you of any updates in the legal process. If you must act, we’ll inform you. Other than those instances where you must participate, your case is our responsibility.
Just consider what one satisfied client said about our team:
“I hired Marni Jo a few months ago. She was prompt, always returning my phone calls and emails almost immediately. She is smart, aggressive in court, and very knowledgeable in her practice. I felt a sense of comfort knowing she was representing a family member. Our outcome in court was great, we were very pleased.”
We fight for everyone we represent. Expect the same tenacity if you hire us for your drug possession case.
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 financially, 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 consultation will:
- Take only a few minutes: A member of our team can listen to your 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 to retain our services or not.
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 may 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.
- Expert and character witness statements: Testimony from relevant experts or people who know you can be helpful. 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 Us for a Free Consultation
Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC. can provide you with a Philadelphia drug possession lawyer. We are dedicated to protecting clients’ rights and will defend yours. Call us at any time for a FREE consultation. We have team members standing by to receive your call.
