Drug Crimes – Chesco, PA

What Happens if You Are Charged with Drugs in Chester County, PA?

drug crime lawyers chesco pa

A criminal conviction for drugs can forever damage your future and make it difficult to find work, support yourself and your family, and find housing. It could also restrict your parental rights and other basic rights and privileges like a driver’s license.

A first-time misdemeanor of simple possession could mean up to one year in jail and fines up to $5,000. 

An Arrest is Not a Conviction

Not everyone who gets charged with a drug crime gets convicted. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and oftentimes people need treatment programs instead of jail time or a criminal record.

If you were charged with drug possession in Chester County, PA, Attorney Wana Saadzoi can help you understand your rights, the legal process, and what options are available for fighting the charges or having them reduced. Attorney Saadzoi has been winning tough drug crime cases for over a decade and is dedicated to fighting for people who only want another chance to get on the right track.

Even if you have not yet been charged with a drug crime, it is crucial to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Never speak to the police without an attorney present. If they are questioning you, you are already under suspicion – you will not seem any less guilty by simply (and politely) requesting a lawyer to be present.

Call me today – Attorney Wana Saadzoi – for a free legal consultation. I will work to reduce your charges or have them dropped altogether. There are several options available, especially for first-time drug charges, to get treatment instead of jail in Chester County.

Read below for more information about Drug Crimes and PA Laws. Learn more about:

  • Penalties you could face for a drug possession conviction in PA;
  • Fighting drug charges in Pennsylvania, and;
  • Alternative to Jail Programs in Chester County, PA.

Drug Crime Lawyer in Chesco, PA
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610-566-5956

Delco | Chesco | Montco

Sentencing Guidelines for a First Drug Possession Conviction in PA

Simple Drug Possession and PWID or Possession with Intent to Distribute drugs or a controlled substance are the two main types of charges people face.

Most drug offenses are simple possession charges, or drugs likely intended for personal use. PWID charges would mean you were suspected of selling drugs or being involved in the sale of a controlled substance.

However, even a “simple” possession conviction, means jail time, big fines, and a misdemeanor on your permanent criminal record. It also means a driver’s license suspension for at least one year.

Penalties for Drug Crime Convictions

Simple possession first-time drug offenses of controlled substances such as Cocaine, Heroin, Illegal Prescription Meds, etc. could mean:

  • Up to one year in jail;
  • Up to $5,000 in fines;
  • A misdemeanor on your permanent record.

In addition to these penalties, it is also possible you will lose other rights, such as your driver’s license, legally owning a firearm, and loss of parental rights. You may also be required to enter drug treatment programs.

Subsequent offenses mean up to three years in prison and fines of up to $25,000, as well as other penalties.

Prescription Drug Offenses: Misuse or distribution of prescription medications can lead to criminal charges with varying penalties, depending on the specific drug and circumstances.

Penalties for a First-Time Marijuana Possession in PA

Marijuana: small amount (less than 30 grams):

    • Up to 30 days in jail;
    • A $500 fine, and;
    • A misdemeanor.
    • Six-month license suspension from PennDOT.

Read the NORML website for more information on marijuana penalties based on type and amount.

Penalties for Fentanyl Possession in PA

A drug possession conviction of any amount of Fentanyl is a minimum of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

If you are found guilty of Fentanyl possession, you will go to prison for at least two years. The lethality of fentanyl has caused Pennsylvanian legislatures to push hard for maximum punishments for this deadly drug.

PWID Drugs – Penalties Upon a Conviction

Sentencing guidelines for a conviction of PWID of a controlled substance, including pharmaceuticals, is much harsher than simple possession. There are also limited programs for offenders to receive treatment instead of jail. Depending on the types of drugs and the amounts you can face up to $25,000 in fines and 20 years in a state penitentiary.

For information about sentencing guidelines if you are facing PWID in PA, read our Possession with Intent to Distribute page.

Indirect Penalties of a Drug Crime Conviction

You may also face other difficulties that come with any criminal conviction, such as an increase in insurance premiums, the inability to obtain student loans or financing for a car or home, and difficulty in finding employment or renting a home.

Penalties for Second and Subsequent Offenses

Depending on the types of drugs and the amount, a second drug conviction could mean up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine. This is why it is crucial to never allow a first drug conviction onto your record in the first place.

Read more about Drug Crime Penalties in Pennsylvania.

An Arrest is Not a Conviction 

Call Wana Saadzoi Law to Help Fight Your Drug Charges.

West Chester Drug Lawyers
Free Consultations

610-566-5956

Delco | Chesco | Montco

I’ve Been Charged with a Drug Crime in Chester County, PA. What Happens Next?

If the police in Chester County, PA have taken you or a loved one in for questioning, now is the time to contact an experienced drug crime lawyer. It is important to politely decline questioning without an attorney present and invoke your right to remain silent. Our attorneys can help guide you through the process and provide advice on how to plead your case, depending on the charges and circumstances.

Once your case has been processed, you will be booked and held at a correctional center. Once you retain an attorney for their legal services, they can help in arrangements with bail or a bondsman to have you released. After that, you will have a date set within weeks for the judge to determine if there was sufficient evidence for the police to make an arrest and your case to move forward. It is crucial to have an experienced attorney at your side during this process to fight for your release and try to have the case dismissed.

At Wana Saadzoi Law, we fully investigate whether the police made any mistakes in processing your case. If so, the case can be thrown out. For example, if police lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause to arrest you, a Motion to Suppress can be filed.

If your case moves forward, there are other options to get your charges reduced or negotiate for a lesser sentence. There are also alternative to jail programs and pretrial disposition programs that could help you keep your record clean, upon successful completion.

Alternative to Jail Programs and Drug Treatments Programs include:

If you or your loved one was arrested for marijuana possession, cocaine, heroin, PCP, illegal prescription drugs, Fentanyl, methamphetamines, or any other controlled substance in Pennsylvania, Wana Saadzoi Law can help fight your charges.

Oftentimes, people charged with drug possession need treatment options, not jail time. With our extensive experience and dedication, we work tirelessly to protect your rights and ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Chesco Drug Attorneys
Call for a Free Consultation

610-566-5956

Delco | Chesco | Montco

Fighting Drug Charges in Chester County, PA

There are many possible defenses to drug crimes and many times people are falsely accused.

A second drug offense comes with sharp penalties: up to three years in jail and a $25,000 fine. This makes it very dangerous to have a first drug conviction on your record. In addition, a first-time drug conviction can make your future very difficult when it comes to finding employment or housing. That’s why our attorneys fight hard for anyone accused of a drug crime to have their charges dropped or to get treatment instead of being tossed in jail and into a repetitive pattern.

To fight your charges, we will look at all possible defense strategies, such as lack of knowledge of possession, i.e., “the drugs weren’t mine”. This can often be the case, for example, if a parent is arrested because their children have drugs in their home without their knowledge. Other defenses, like entrapment or the drugs being planted by another person, are all valid defenses.

Drug charges can be fought and won in court.

Defense strategies against drug charges include:

  1. Challenging the Search and Seizure: If evidence was obtained through an illegal search or seizure, it may be inadmissible in court, providing a strong defense angle.
  2. Insufficient Evidence: Attorney Saadzoi will scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence and challenge its sufficiency to secure a conviction. This can include Lack of Knowledge of Possession or Lack of Intent to Distribute.
  3. Proving Unlawful Entrapment: In some cases, law enforcement may have induced or coerced individuals into committing a drug-related offense, making the arrest unlawful.
  4. Violation of Rights: If your constitutional rights were violated during your arrest or detention, this can be a powerful defense strategy.
  5. Negotiating Plea Bargains: In some cases, it may be in your best interest to negotiate a plea deal to reduce charges and penalties.

Contact Pennsylvania Attorney Wana Saadzoi if you are facing criminal charges or are the subject of a criminal investigation. As your lawyer, I will fight to protect your legal rights.

Call 610-566-5956 to schedule a free legal case evaluation. 

*Spanish translation services are available. Servicios de traducción al español están disponibles.

Top Pennsylvania Drug Lawyers
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610-566-5956

Delco | Chesco | Montco

How Can the Attorneys at Wana Saadzoi Law Help?

At Wana Saadzoi Law, we specialize in criminal defense, including drug-related defense, and we are here to help you understand the charges you face, the potential outcomes, and strategies that can be taken in order to fight your charges in order to get your charges dismissed or sentencing significantly reduced.

When it comes to drug charges, having a knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate attorney on your side can make all the difference. Attorney Wana Saadzoi is one of the best possible drug lawyers in Chester County.

I will investigate the charges against you, gather evidence, and file motions to reduce or dismiss the charges. It may be possible to get you admitted to a drug treatment program like the Chesco Drug Court instead of prison or you may be eligible for the Pennsylvania ARD Program if it is a first offense. In addition, probation may also be on the table for negotiation instead of jail.

Top Reasons to Hire Attorney Wana Saadzoi:

  • Legal Expertise: Attorney Saadzoi possesses extensive knowledge of drug laws, both at the state and federal levels, providing her clients with the most comprehensive legal representation available.
  • Experience: With a proven track record of successfully defending clients in drug-related cases, Attorney Saadzoi has the experience necessary to handle even the most complex and challenging scenarios.
  • Client-Centered Approach: Attorney Saadzoi is dedicated to her client’s well-being and their rights. She works tirelessly to build strong attorney-client relationships, ensuring open communication and a thorough understanding of each case.
  • Aggressive Defense: She is not afraid to stand up to law enforcement, prosecutors, or judges to protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcome for you.
  • Local Expertise: With a deep understanding of Chester County’s legal landscape, Attorney Saadzoi can navigate local procedures and customs effectively.

Call Wana Saadzoi – An Experienced and Aggressive Criminal Lawyer

Contact Attorney Wana Saadzoi if you are facing criminal charges or are the subject of a criminal investigation. As your lawyer, I will fight to protect your legal rights.

Call 610-566-5956 to schedule a free legal case evaluation. 

Get Aggressive Representation
Call Today for a Free Legal Case Evaluation

Contact Pennsylvania Drug Attorney Saadzoi
610-566-5956

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