Experienced Pennsylvania Attorney Represents Clients Charged With Federal Drugs Crimes

Trusted Philadelphia lawyer defends clients charged with drug trafficking

The federal government aggressively prosecutes crimes involving significant amounts of illegal drugs. If you are under investigation or have been charged with any drug crime, you will benefit greatly by retaining an attorney who has experience handling federal drug cases, and is willing to aggressively defend your rights and your freedom.

At the Law Offices of David Jay Glassman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, our firm’s attorney has over 40 years’ experience in criminal defense and has earned a strong reputation for achieving positive results for his clients in drug crime trials as well as pre-trial negotiations. He represents clients in federal drug cases and all related matters, including:

• Drug trafficking
• Importation and transportation of drugs
• Manufacturing or cultivating drugs
• Conspiracy to possess or distribute narcotics
• Money laundering of drug transaction proceeds
• Asset forfeiture

Our firm handles cases involving all types of drugs, such as cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy (MDMA), methamphetamines and prescription medications. In addition, we have defended individuals accused of crimes involving synthetic drugs such as Spice/ K2, bath salts and others.

What are considered federal drug offenses

A drug crime may be tried at either the state or federal level. The Department of Justice typically prosecutes large-quantity drug crimes as well as those alleged to have occurred across more than one state or on federal property. These offenses include:

• Simple possession — Federal law prohibits knowingly or intentionally possessing or using any controlled substance without a valid prescription.
• Trafficking — This crime includes the intentional or knowing manufacture, distribution or dispensing or a controlled substance. Trafficking may also include possession of a large amount of a controlled substance, since that could signal an intent to distribute or dispense it.
• Paraphernalia — It is illegal to sell, import or export drug paraphernalia or to transport it across state lines. Paraphernalia includes any item primarily intended or designed for manufacturing, processing or using drugs.

We represent clients accused of any federal drug crimes or related matters. As key tenets of our defense strategy, we evaluate each case with a view toward challenging the seizure of drugs and the underlying conduct of the investigative agencies involved. If law enforcement broke the law in creating a case against you, we will work diligently to have unlawfully obtained evidence suppressed and the case dismissed.

Drug crimes are defined by the Controlled Substances Act

The Controlled Substances Act outlines drug crimes that can be charged as federal offenses. The law classifies controlled substances in five categories, known as schedules, which are ranked in order of seriousness as follows:

• Schedule I — These drugs, such as heroin and LSD, have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.
• Schedule II — Despite having a high potential for abuse and addiction, these drugs have some medical value. Examples are fentanyl, oxycodone, cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Schedule III — These drugs have accepted medical uses and a moderate to low potential for abuse. Ketamine, anabolic steroids and Tylenol with codeine fall into this category.
• Schedule IV — Drugs like Xanax, Valium and Ambien have accepted medical uses and a low potential for abuse.
• Schedule V — Drugs with accepted medical uses and the lowest potential for abuse include many cough syrups and antidiarrheal medicines.

Possession or trafficking crimes involving Schedule I and Schedule II substances are generally punished most severely under federal law.

Understanding federal penalties for drug trafficking

Sentencing for drug trafficking offenses depend on the type and amount of the drugs involved as well as the defendant’s criminal history. The range of penalties are:

• 5 years to 40 years in prison for a first offense involving selected Schedule I or Schedule II substances, such as cocaine and heroin
• 10 years to life in prison for a second offense involving selected Schedule I or Schedule II substances
• Up to 5 years in prison for a first offense involving selected Schedule III or Schedule IV substances
• Up to 5 years in prison for a first offense involving less than 50 marijuana plaints or less than 50 kilograms of marijuana mixture

Judges have significant discretion under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines when determining length of imprisonment. Our attorney has earned a reputation for successfully obtaining downward departures from the guidelines in a number of cases.

Contact a skillful Philadelphia federal drug crimes defense attorney for a legal consultation

With more than 40 years of criminal defense experience, the Law Offices of David Jay Glassman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania aggressively defends clients charged with federal drug offenses. To arrange for a consultation with our firm’s attorney, call 215-563-7100 or contact us online.