PWID Drugs – Charges, Penalties and Your Rights Under PA Law

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Information on PWID Drug Charges in Pennsylvania

If you or someone you know has been charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) in Pennsylvania, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately. The laws and penalties surrounding PWID can be severe, and the consequences can impact your future significantly.

A PWID Drug Charge Is Not a Conviction – You Still Have Rights

At Wana Saadzoi Law,  we help people build a strong defense with the ultimate goal of getting the charges dismissed completely or, if that is not possible, getting the charges significantly reduced and negotiating for a reduction in penalties.

Our attorneys help people from all walks of life who have been arrested for all types of drug crimes, whether it is possession of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or prescription meds. We have the experience and the knowledge to build a strong case and help you achieve the best possible outcome, whether you were charged with PWID or simple drug possession.

Call Attorney Saadzoi for a free legal case evaluation. I will fight to get your charges dismissed or reduced to a minimum. We also will fight to get your assets back if they have been seized. 

The drug lawyers at Wana Saadzoi Law have years of experience winning tough drug cases in Southeast Pennsylvania. We can help fight your drug charges.


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PWID Lawyers Pennsylvania
610-566-5956

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PWID Drugs: Your Rights Under PA Drug Law

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest drug laws in the country and one of the most severe charges is possession with intent to distribute (PWID). If you or a loved one are facing PWID charges, it is crucial to understand the legal implications of your situation.

If you were charged with PWID, contact an experienced and successful attorney about your case as soon as possible – at Wana Saadzoi Law, we offer free consultations from a qualified Drug Lawyer in Southeast PA – call 610-566-5956. 

This web page will provide you with information on PWID charges in Pennsylvania, including the law, penalties, and sentencing guidelines.

What is Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) and How is it Different from Simple Possession?

PWID is a serious drug offense that involves possessing illegal drugs with the intent to distribute them. The prosecution must prove that you had the intention to distribute the drugs to charge you with PWID.

The prosecution can use various factors to prove your intention to distribute, such as the quantity of drugs, the packaging, and the presence of other paraphernalia.

PWID is different than a Simple Possession charge and a much more serious offense. Usually, you will be charged with PWID if a larger than normal quantity of drugs is involved in the charges, giving law enforcement cause to believe the drugs were meant for distribution rather than personal use.

Penalties for PWID in Pennsylvania

The penalties for PWID in Pennsylvania depend on the type and quantity of drugs involved in the offense, the offender’s criminal record, and other factors.

Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act is the primary law that governs drug offenses in the state. Under this law, drug offenses are classified into four schedules, with Schedule I being the most dangerous drug and Schedule IV being the least dangerous.

Possession, distribution, and manufacturing of drugs are criminal offenses under the law.

Drug trafficking sentencing and penalties in Pennsylvania fall under Title 18 § 7508 of the PA Code.

Pennsylvania’s law provides for mandatory minimum sentences for some drug offenses, which means that judges must impose a minimum sentence regardless of the circumstances if you are found guilty.

The penalties for PWID can range from fines to lengthy prison terms. For example, possessing 10 to 100 grams of heroin with intent to distribute carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison. For any amount of Fentanyl, regardless of intent, you face two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The severity of the penalties for PWID depends on the type and quantity of drugs involved in the offense. For example, possessing less than two grams of cocaine with intent to distribute is a felony offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. However, possessing more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute is a felony offense that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

It is important to work with an experienced attorney like Wana Saadzoi who understands the specific PWID laws and penalties in Pennsylvania and can build a strong defense on your behalf.


Aggressive Pennsylvania Drug Attorneys
Call Today for a Free Consultation

610-566-5956

Southeastern Pennsylvania


Marijuana PWID Penalties in Pennsylvania

Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under Pennsylvania’s law, and PWID of marijuana can result in severe penalties. The penalties depend on the quantity of marijuana involved in the offense and the offender’s criminal record.

Any PWID of Marijuana is considered a felony.

The sentencing guidelines for a first-offense PWID Marijuana conviction in Pennsylvania are as follows:

  • Possession of Over 30 grams and less than two pounds of marijuana: This is a felony and could mean one to three years in prison and fines ranging from $5,000-$25,000. Prior offenses could mean additional penalties.
  • Marijuana Cultivation (Growing Weed) First Offense
    • Ten to Twenty Marijuana Plants (2 to under 10 pounds): one year in prison, and a $5,000 fine.
    • Twenty-one to 51 plants (10 to 49 pounds): three years minimum in prison, and a $15,000 fine.
    • Over 51 plants (Over 50 pounds): five years minimum in prison, and a $50,000 fine.

    Marijuana Hash and Concentrates – Minimum Sentencing

    • Manufacturing: a minimum of five years in prison, and a $15,000 fine.

Penalties of PWID of Other Drugs in Pennsylvania

The penalties for PWID of other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, depend on the quantity of drugs involved in the offense and the offender’s criminal record. All PWID convictions are considered felonies.

Examples of minimum penalties for first-offense PWID drugs in Pennsylvania are as follows:

  • PWID of less than two grams of cocaine: One-year minimum prison and a $5,000 fine;
  • PWID of five to 50 grams of heroin: A minimum of three years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
  • PWID of between 5 and 10 grams of methamphetamine: A minimum of three years in prison. 

Indirect Penalties for a Drug Conviction in Pennsylvania

A PWID conviction in Pennsylvania can send you to prison and require you to pay thousands of dollars in fines. But what happens after that? The indirect penalties from a conviction can have a deep impact on your future and severely limit your options for finding housing, jobs, and education.

A conviction could also lead to a loss of legal immigration status, loss of employment, loss of parental custody, loss of your right to own a gun and hurt your future job prospects, college applications, and even the ability to find housing and obtain financing to buy a car or home.

The penalties are harsh and life-changing. One mistake can cost you an entire future. This is why we are compassionate at Wana Saadzoi Law and will do everything possible to fight your charges and have them dropped or significantly reduced.

Defenses to PWID Drug Charges in Pennsylvania

If you are facing PWID Drug charges in Pennsylvania, there may be several defenses available to you. A skilled criminal defense attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best defense strategy for your situation. At Wana Saadzoi, Law, we work toward a full case dismissal.

Some common defenses to PWID Drug charges include:

  1. Lack of intent: PWID charges require the prosecution to prove that you possessed the drug with the intent to distribute it. If your attorney can show that you had no intention of distributing the drug, you may be able to avoid a conviction.
  2. Illegal search and seizure: If the police conducted an illegal search or seizure, any evidence they collected may be inadmissible in court. Your attorney can challenge the validity of the search and seizure to suppress the evidence against you.
  3. Mistaken identity: If you have been wrongly accused of PWID, your attorney can present evidence to show that you were not the person who possessed the drugs.
  4. Insufficient evidence: The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If they cannot provide sufficient evidence to meet this standard, you may be able to avoid a conviction.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

Pennsylvania Drug Lawyers
610-566-5956

Delco | Chesco | Montco


How Can We Help Fight Your Drug Charges?

If you or your loved one was charged with PWID of drugs or a controlled substance, or you think you may face charges soon, Attorney Saadzoio can help fight your charges.

Attorney Saadzoi will thoroughly investigate your case, looking for any missteps the police may have taken in your case. If any are found, it could result in a full dismissal. For example, if police lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause to arrest you, a Motion to Suppress can be filed. We will also look at other possible defenses, such as lack of knowledge of possession or lack of intent to distribute. Other defenses are possible, like entrapment or the drugs being planted by another person. These are all plausible defenses that can be argued and won in court.

I will investigate the charges against you, gather evidence, and file motions to reduce or dismiss the charges. It may also be possible that probation may be on the table for negotiation.

Whatever the case, we will work to get the best possible result – hopefully, one that keeps you out of prison.

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.

Call Wana Saadzoi Law – Experienced and Aggressive Drug Lawyers

Contact Pennsylvania Attorney Wana Saadzoi if you are facing criminal drug charges or are the subject of a criminal investigation. As your attorney, 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

Pennsylvania Criminal Attorneys
610-566-5956


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