Criminal Defense Attorney in Pittsburgh Defends Marijuana Charges

In the state of Pennsylvania, being charged with possession of marijuana can pose a serious problem for the accused. Fines, imprisonment, and driver's license suspension of varying degrees will most likely result if convicted. At the same time, people who have been arrested for drug crimes are also recognized as people who often have a substance abuse problem, and the courts sometimes have an eye toward rehabilitation rather than imprisonment in these cases. In Pennsylvania, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug. This means it carries the most severe penalties possible under the law. 

If you have been charged with possession, or possession with intent to distribute (PWID), you should immediately contact criminal defense attorney in Pittsburgh. 

You need someone in your corner to defend your rights, and help you get your charges dismissed, reduced, or perhaps diverted toward alternative avenues, such as rehabilitation.

Penalties for Marijuana Charges

As stated above, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug in Pennsylvania. This means it has a high potential for abuse and dependence. In addition, it carries no recognition under the law has having any medical use. Some other drugs in this category include LSD and heroin.

Possession of marijuana is classified as a misdemeanor. If you are caught with 30 grams or less, you can spend up to 30 days in jail and be fined up to $500. This also includes being convicted of distributing this amount but with no money exchanged. Possessing more than 30 grams can result in up to one year in jail and up to $5000 in fines. If this is a first conviction, you could possibly get probation up to a year instead of jail time.

If you are convicted of the sale, delivery or distribution, or PWID, of 1,000 lbs or less of marijuana, you will be guilty of a felony. This is punishable by one to three years in the state prison, with a maximum sentence of five years. You can also face fines from $5,000 to $25,000. If you are convicted of the sale, delivery or distribution of more than 1,000 lbs of marijuana, this again is a felony, and your sentence can be up to ten years in state prison and fines up to $100,000. You can be sentenced to two to four years in state prison if you are convicted of selling, delivering, or distributing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or 250 feet of a playground. It is also a felony to sell, deliver, or distribute marijuana to a minor when the offender is over 21 years of age. Depending on the amount of marijuana sold, the penalties could double. If you are found in possession of drug paraphernalia or convicted of selling it, you can be sentenced up to one year in jail and fined up to $2,500. These penalties can double if you sold the paraphernalia to a minor. If you are convicted of a marijuana charge for the second or more time, all the above penalties can be enhanced to double.

Defenses

Criminal defense Attorney Blaine Jones, practicing in Pittsburgh, has extensive experience in defending misdemeanor and felony marijuana charges. There can be several strategies possible to get charges reduced or dismissed. Was there an illegal search of your home or car? Were you read your rights? Perhaps you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. These are but a few options that we can explore and use to effectively defend your rights. We are committed to helping our clients resume their normal life as much and as soon as possible through our skilled guidance and proven defense strategies.