Cocaine Possession Defense Lawyer

Across the country, including in parts of Pennsylvania, the government is beginning to decriminalize marijuana. For now, Pennsylvania authorities typically consider possession of cocaine to be a serious offense, especially if they accuse someone of possession with intent to deliver (PWID). Penalties for a conviction of possessing cocaine can have a detrimental effect on someone’s life. If you find yourself facing such allegations, a cocaine possession defense attorney at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. can help ensure the protection of your constitutional rights.

What Is the Difference Between Simple Possession and PWID?

Being charged with cocaine possession may leave you feeling like your life has been turned upside down. Cocaine possession charges range from misdemeanor simple possession to felony PWID. Authorities will often look at how much cocaine was supposedly in your control at the time of your arrest when determining the severity of charges made against you. That will also dictate the severity of potential penalties that you could face if convicted.

Simple possession is a misdemeanor charge, which means that prosecutors believe you intended to use the cocaine yourself rather than profit from it. A PWID charge, on the other hand, is a felony offense in which authorities claim you intended to grow, manufacture, deliver, sell, or distribute the cocaine to other parties. This is also known as drug trafficking and carries much harsher penalties.

How Harsh Are the Penalties for Cocaine Possession?

The severity of penalties an individual may face for cocaine possession depends upon the quantity of the substance, whether they face a misdemeanor or felony possession charge, and whether or not it’s a first-time offense. It’s important to remember that Pennsylvania prosecutors have a high burden of proof to overcome if they hope to obtain a conviction. An arrest does not automatically equal a conviction.

In the event that authorities do obtain a conviction, however, the penalties a defendant faces can be quite serious. These could include lengthy time in jail or prison, significant monetary fines and court costs, loss of employment or difficulty landing future jobs, loss of parental rights, loss of the right to own firearms, and challenges in obtaining student loans or insurance.

Convictions for these kinds of drug allegations result in a permanent record that can negatively affect your future. In some cases, authorities may even pursue forfeiture of property or assets against you. Convictions for subsequent offenses are typically punished even more harshly than first-time offenses. 

First-time offenders may qualify for certain diversion programs that could result in having a criminal record expunged. Even if you don’t qualify for such a program, an experienced cocaine possession defense lawyer could help formulate a legal strategy to have your charges lessened or dropped altogether.

Contact a Cocaine Possession Defense Attorney at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C.

It’s understandable that someone facing cocaine possession charges may be intimidated by authorities and fearful for the future. Remember that being arrested does not mean that a conviction is certain. An experienced cocaine possession defense lawyer like those with Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. offer decades of experience in formulating legal strategies to fight these types of allegations. Please call us at (215) 822-7575 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.