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DRUG CRIME
Lawyer in Scranton
Commonly charged drug offenses
Need a drug crime lawyer in Scranton for your case?
Shane Scanlon was the Deputy District Attorney responsible for the Lackawanna County Drug Task Force from 2009 until January of 2016 when he became District Attorney. During that time, Shane supervised the investigation and prosecution of thousands of felony drug cases and tried dozens of cases to verdict. Let Shane Scanlon use his knowledge and years of experience to fight for you. That is experience you can trust. Call Shane Scanlon Law today.
Call now 1.833.722.6566
Drug Charges:
An experienced drug crime lawyer in Scranton understands the intricacies involved with your case. In Pennsylvania drug charges are categorized as misdemeanor or felony arrests. Misdemeanor drug cases, such as Simple Possession or Drug Paraphernalia while very serious, are generally much less serious than felony drug cases which include Delivery or Possession with the Intent to Deliver. The difference between misdemeanors and felonies will usually dictate the type of penalty you can receive if convicted. Most felony drug arrests will call for a jail sentence. Misdemeanor drug arrests on the other hand, generally call for a sentence of probation. Some drug arrests can result in placement in a diversionary program such as ARD or Treatment Courts depending on the county you are arrested in. Diversionary programs sometimes offer the opportunity to have your charges dismissed and arrest record expunged upon successful completion of the program’s requirements.
Misdemeanor Drug Offenses:
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE is knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance by a person not registered under the Controlled Substance Act, the controlled substance can be marijuana, cocaine, heroin, meth, prescription pills, etc.
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA is the use of, or possession with intent to use, drug paraphernalia for the purpose of planting, growing, manufacturing, preparing, packing, repacking, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, etc or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Controlled Substance Act.” Pennsylvania Drug Paraphernalia laws apply to pipes, needles, scales, bongs, grinders, bags, rolling papers, etc.
Felony Drug Offenses:
DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE is the exchange of a drug or controlled substance, like marijuana, cocaine, or heroin, from one person to another. No money needs to be exchanged. If there is some type of transaction, a drug delivery has taken place.
POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE is when a person possesses a drug and that person intends to deliver that controlled substance to another person. There does not have to be a delivery of drugs for this crime to occur.
Evidence the Commonwealth looks for in Possession with the Intent to Deliver cases include: the quantity of drugs, prior drug sales, was “buy money” or pre-recorded money found, how much money was found, are there recorded conversations, dealer paraphernalia, multiple cell phones, etc.
CRIMINAL USE OF A COMMUNICATION FACILITY is when a person uses a communications facility such as a telephone or computer to commit or facilitate a felony. An example would be when a person uses a telephone to set up a delivery of drugs or a sale. This charge, is often filed with drug cases but it can also be filed in non-drug related cases.
The Best Drug Crime Lawyer in Scranton
The possible penalties in all drug cases will depend on the type of drugs, the weight or amount of the drugs and the person’s prior criminal convictions.
There are many additional penalties that can occur with a drug conviction including loss of driver’s license, professional licenses, employment opportunities, the right to own or possess a firearm, and the potential to receive financial student aid, etc.
If you have been charged with a drug offense, call Shane Scanlon. Shane Scanlon has handled thousands of drug cases and tried dozens of cases to verdict. That is experience you can trust. Call Shane Scanlon Law today.