Drug Charge Attorneys in Allentown, Pennsylvania

A drug conviction can have devastating effects on you and your family. It can also negatively impact your social and professional lives for the rest of your life. However, if you were charged with a crime, it does not mean that you will be convicted. You can still fight to get the charges against you dismissed. 

Our criminal defense attorneys in Allentown, Pennsylvania, provide client-centered legal representation and legal strategies tailored to each client’s circumstances and goals. We take the time to work with you at every stage of your case. Rapa Law Office, P.C. serves people who face drug charges in Allentown and the surrounding area, including Palmerton, Bethlehem, Lehighton, Slatington, Northampton, Jim Thorpe, and Walnutport.

Federal Drug Crime

Not all drug crimes are charged at a state level. When a drug-related offense meets specific criteria, it can be charged as a federal crime: 

• a person crosses or attempts to cross state lines with a controlled substance in their possession;   

• a crime is committed on national land (e.g., national parks); or  

• a federal agency is investigating the offense. 

The potential penalties for federal drug crimes depend on several factors, including the offender’s criminal record, the type of controlled substance involved, and the quantity of the drug. The severity of penalties increases if the crime led to someone else’s injury or death.   

Drug Charges in Pennsylvania

Drug charges in Pennsylvania can be broken down into four categories:  

1. Drug possession. When possession of a controlled substance is intended for personal use, you can face simple drug possession charges, which is usually a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania.   

2. Drug manufacturing. People who grow, produce, or otherwise manufacture drugs can be charged with drug manufacturing. The penalties depend on the quantity of the drug.   

3. Drug trafficking. If the quantity of drugs found in your possession is more than you can possess for personal use, you can face drug trafficking charges.   

4. Drug distribution. In Pennsylvania, this crime is also known as possession with intent to deliver or PWID. The prosecution must prove that you manufactured, received, or purchased a controlled substance with the intention of delivering it to someone else. 

Each case is unique, which is why the defense strategies available to you will depend on the facts of your case. Our drug crime attorneys at Rapa Law Office, P.C., can conduct a thorough investigation of your case to prove you with the best defense possible.   

Drug Schedules

Under state and federal law, controlled substances are divided into schedules based on their therapeutic value and potential for abuse. The less therapeutic value a controlled substance has and the greater the potential for abuse, the more severe the penalty. Below is a list of drug schedules and examples: 

• Schedule I: LSD, heroin, MDMA. These drugs have no accepted therapeutic value and a high potential for abuse and addiction.   

• Schedule II: Oxycodone, methamphetamines, cocaine. These drugs have a high potential for abuse but as not as high as drugs in Schedule I. They also have very limited medical use.   

• Schedule III: Vicodin, anabolic steroids, ketamine. These drugs have a nominal potential for abuse and an accepted medical use.   

• Schedule IV: Valium, Xanax, Klonopin. These drugs have a lower potential for abuse and a higher therapeutic value.   

• Schedule V: Prescription drugs and cough suppressants containing codeine. These drugs have minimal potential for abuse and a widely accepted therapeutic value.  

Penalties for drug crimes depend on the drug schedule and the amount of the drug found in your possession. Defense strategies will vary depending on the schedule and the circumstances of the offense.   

Possible Penalties

Upon a drug conviction, the judge has to follow minimum and maximum guidelines when imposing a sentence. These guidelines depend on the type of the drug, the quantity of the drug, and the offender’s criminal record. 

Typically, possible penalties include incarceration and fines. However, in addition to jail/prison time and fines, a person convicted of a drug-related crime can also lose certain rights and privileges, including the driver’s license, parental/custody rights, and the right to possess a firearm. The judge may also order you to enter a drug treatment program as part of your sentence.  

In addition to these penalties, a drug conviction can also affect other areas of your life. It may make it more difficult to find employment, rent a home, and obtain loans.