Drug Crimes Lawyer in Luzerne County
Serving Lackawanna, Monroe, Columbia, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Schuylkill, Carbon, Pike & Wayne Counties
People facing criminal charges relating to drugs, need a skilled and experienced Luzerne County drug crimes lawyer—one who understands the complexities and nuances of the law and of legal procedure. The Law Office of William I. Abraham has spent over 20 years fighting for defendants, and brings both the legal knowledge and the passion for justice that our clients rely on in their fight for freedom.
From our Luzerne County office, we serve defendants across Lackawanna, Monroe, Columbia counties, and beyond. Call us at (570) 762-9988 or reach out here online to set up a free consultation.
Types of Drug Crimes in Pennsylvania
There are several different types of drug crimes, including the following:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance is the act of knowingly having any amount of an illegal drug in one’s possession. This includes having drugs on one’s person, in their home or vehicle, or even just having knowledge that the drugs exist.
- Drug Selling involves exchanging money for drugs. It is illegal to sell any amount of an illegal substance.
- Drug Manufacturing refers to creating an illegal substance from raw materials, such as chemicals or plants.
- Drug Trafficking is when the defendant grew, manufactured, or acquired an illegal drug and then either gave it to someone else or planned to do so.
Understanding Drug Crimes
The type of crime is one factor in how drug offenses are charged and what the possible sentences might be. Another factor is the type of drug. The state of Pennsylvania has an extensive list of illegal drugs, and they are classified into five different schedules, with Schedule I being the most serious. The classifications are based on how addictive the drug is, and whether or not there is a legitimate medical use for them. The third factor in determining the severity of charges is whether or not the defendant has a prior record.
Defendants face the possibility of lengthy jail sentences and a record that will trail them around in the search for employment and housing, even after the time has been served. The best approach is to fight for the charges hard right at the beginning, and for that, a Luzerne County drug crimes attorney is needed.
Call the Law Office of William I. Abraham by calling (570) 762-9988 or through filling out our online contact form today. Free consultations available.
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Possible Defenses Against Drug Charges
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution offers a strong place to begin in defending against drug charges. It protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizures by authorities. Physical evidence is necessary for a successful drug prosecution, so it's essential that officers acquire the drugs or evidence of financial transactions within lawful means.
This starts with obtaining a warrant based on probable cause--judges can't issue warrants without some reasonable belief that evidence will be found at the place searched. Additionally, confessions must be validly obtained. There are limits to police behavior during interrogation, and violation of these rules may lead to the requested dismissal of all evidence. An experienced Luzerne County drug crimes lawyer will undertake a vigorous investigation to ensure their client’s rights were respected throughout the process that led to the arrest.
