Can an Attorney Help Me if I Got Caught with Drugs in PA?

Because of the severe impact of drugs on people’s lives, the government imposes harsh penalties across the country to serve as some kind of deterrence. It is the objective of these laws to punish those convicted with drug charges to serve as an example to others; so that they may do something about their drug addiction before it is too late.

Pennsylvania is one of the states that impose heavy penalties for drug possession, including marijuana and illegal prescription drugs. If you or someone you know is ever caught in possession of a controlled substance PA, then it is highly recommended that you seek help from a drug attorney.

The sooner you get in touch with them regarding your case, the better your chances are of being able to come up with a good defense that can help minimize your penalty, or even dissolve the charge completely.

What Are Illegal Drugs in PA?

In Pennsylvania, the drugs considered to be illegal or controlled substances include marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and more. Even prescription drugs like Oxycontin or Roxycontin are illegal if found on a person without the proper documents proving that they are legally allowed to carry these drugs as their prescription medicine.

Can I Get Arrested for Possession?

If you got caught with drugs in possession, then you will get arrested for it. The key here is that the arresting officers must have probable cause to think you may have drugs on your person, or you handle it yourself, as in during a trade or public use.

What if there is a prescription issued for the drugs, but it is for another person? Is it a felony to take someone else’s prescription? The short answer is yes. It is illegal possession of prescription drugs. 

Once arrested, you will have charges for drug possession. It then becomes up to the prosecutor to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you had the knowledge and intent to possess the illegal or controlled substance at the time of your arrest.

What are the Penalties for Drug Possession

The penalties for drug possession in Pennsylvania largely depend on the type and amount of drugs found in possession. If it is marijuana, the penalty will be an ungraded misdemeanor if there are less than 30 grams found. This means the defendant will have a fine of up to $500 and/or jail time for up to 30 days. Meanwhile, the possession of narcotic drugs has a fine of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 15 years.

For illegal possession of prescription drugs, the offense is typically considered to be a misdemeanor 2 in PA. Some examples of what constitutes a fraudulent act to obtain drugs using the prescription of others include the following:

  • Stealing, buying/selling another person’s prescription note
  • Stealing a doctor’s prescription pad to write the illegal prescription
  • Forging a physician’s signature
  • Creating a fake prescription form through the computer

So to reiterate, in case you are still wondering, “is it a felony to take someone else’s prescription” the answer is a definitive yes. That is why you should immediately talk to a drug attorney like those from Engle Kauffman and VanHorn if you ever get entangled in this sort of trouble.

Can an Attorney Help if I Got Caught with Drugs in PA?

Can a drug lawyer of Engle Kauffman and VanHorn help me if I got caught with drugs in PA? Definitely! We would certainly make a great addition to your defense. Our skills and experience in practicing in this area can help you build a strong enough counter-attack to whatever the prosecution is setting up.

Fortunately, an arrest with drug possession need not be the instant end-all, be-all for you. There are several defenses that our drug lawyers can help build to minimize the penalties imposed, or even get the case thrown out completely.

Among the different types of defenses that your lawyer can raise for drug possession charges include the following:

  1. Legitimate drug prescription by a doctor
  2. Lack of intent
  3. Lack of knowledge
  4. Unlawful search and seizure
  5. Entrapment
  6. License to carry/licensed medical prescription
  7. Insufficient amount

In other words, you would want a drug lawyer to be by your side throughout this drug possession charge. Get in touch with us as soon as possible so you can have the best representation and defense possible.

Let Engle, Kauffman & VanHorn, P.C. help you with your drug possession charge. Visit our office or give us a call to get started with your consultation.