Category Archives: Drug Crimes
Defending Against Drug Trafficking Charges in Pennsylvania
Drug trafficking involves the illegal production, distribution or sale of controlled substances. It is classified under both state and federal law, with severe penalties for those convicted. The following is a breakdown of how drug trafficking is defined in Pennsylvania, along with possible penalties and available defenses. Drug trafficking in Pennsylvania is largely defined by… Read More »
Defenses to Pa. Charges of Drug Delivery Resulting in Death
The crime of “drug delivery resulting in death” (DDRD) is a type of homicide in Pennsylvania. It reflects the state’s stringent stance against the opioid crisis and drug-related fatalities. The crime consists of intentionally or knowingly delivering, distributing or dispensing a controlled substance or counterfeit controlled substance, which directly results in another person’s death. This… Read More »
Pa. Three Strikes Law Imposes Harsh Sentences on Repeat Violent Offenders
The Three Strikes Law is a significant feature of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system. It mandates severe prison terms for repeat offenders convicted of specific violent crimes. This law aims to deter recidivism and promote public safety by providing for long periods of incarceration of individuals demonstrating a pattern of violent behavior. However, there are defensive… Read More »
Understanding Forfeiture of Property in Federal Criminal Cases
Forfeiture — also known as seizure of assets — is a powerful tool employed by federal law enforcement to divest from criminals the financial gains from their wrongdoings. Forfeiture allows the government to permanently seize property demonstrably linked to criminal activity. This serves a dual purpose. By taking away the proceeds of crime, authorities aim… Read More »
Legal Strategies for Defense Against Federal Drug Charges
Federal drug crime convictions can have severe and lasting consequences that include long prison sentences, hefty fines and loss of civil privileges. The most commonly prosecuted federal drug crimes are related to the manufacture, distribution, importation and exportation of controlled substances. Attempts and conspiracies to commit those actions are also illegal. Penalties for federal drug… Read More »
Drug Delivery Resulting in Death Is a Homicide in Pennsylvania
The recent sentencing of a Monroe County man to 20 years in prison shows the wide sweep of a Pennsylvania law making it a homicide to distribute an illegal drug that causes the death of a recipient user. The Drug Delivery Resulting in Death (DDRD) law, enacted in 2008, provides that intentionally delivering, administering, prescribing… Read More »
An Overview of Possession of a Controlled Substance in Pennsylvania
Every state in the nation has strict regulations on controlled dangerous substances (CDS). The state of Pennsylvania includes drugs like heroin, cocaine and marijuana, along with the various chemical compounds used to create them, on this list. Pennsylvania divides CDS into five different “schedules.” Schedule I includes the most dangerous drugs, those with no… Read More »
What Does Pennsylvania Law Say About Possession and Distribution of Marijuana?
There are both state and federal laws regulating the possession, sale and manufacture of marijuana. It is currently a Schedule I drug in Pennsylvania, and thus the law considers it to have a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value. Below is a general overview of how the law treats certain marijuana-related… Read More »
Ephrata Dad Allegedly Admits Supplying Heroin to Teen Daughter
The father of a 16-year-old Ephrata, PA girl who overdosed on heroin has admitted to buying the drug and giving it to his daughter, according to the police complaint. Kerry Lynn Long, 35, also of Ephrata, was charged with aggravated assault, corruption of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession with… Read More »