Montgomery County Possession of a Controlled Substance Lawyer

The world of illegal drugs is a dangerous one to get involved in. Using illegal drugs is risky behavior that could endanger your life. On top of being harmful, controlled substances lead you to suffer many consequences should you be caught having them in your possession. 

Possession of a controlled substance is a serious crime with harsh penalties. Regardless of your intentions, if you are arrested for possessing a controlled substance, you could face severe losses and jail time if your case is not handled properly. With guidance from an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you may improve your odds of resolving your possession case with a more favorable outcome.

What Are the Penalties for Possession of a Controlled Substance in Montgomery County?

Possessing a controlled substance without a valid medical prescription is illegal in Pennsylvania. Convictions could be penalized with a fine of up to $5,000, a year in prison, or both. Should someone incur a subsequent conviction of this charge, they could be fined up to $25,000, spend three years in prison, or both.

Defense strategies for Possession of a Controlled Substance in Montgomery County

Drug possession charges carry serious consequences. Those convicted are often penalized with jail time, and convictions have a stigma attached to them which can have a long-term impact on your life even long after you have served your time. 

However, being charged with possession of a controlled substance is not a hopeless situation. Hiring a quality drug possession lawyer as soon as possible can benefit your case significantly. Using their in-depth knowledge, valuable resources, and the details of your case, your attorney can construct a strong defense on your behalf and may be able to represent you effectively so that your case ends in your favor.

A qualified lawyer may be able to use the following defenses in your case:

• Entrapment led to your arrest.
• Someone else owned the controlled substance, and it did not belong to the defendant.
• The amount of the substance found in the defendant’s possession is so small that it falls outside the scope of drug laws.
• The amount of the substance found in the defendant’s possession is so small that the defendant was not knowingly or willfully in possession of it.
• The authorities employed illegal search and seizure methods to gather evidence against you.
• The defendant did not know what the substance was.
• The defendant is a licensed or registered practitioner who is allowed to possess the controlled substance.
• The defendant was not knowingly in possession of the substance.
• The defendant was not willfully in possession of the substance.

In the hands of an experienced possession of a controlled substance lawyer, these defense strategies could result in reduced or even dropped charges. You should consider consulting a lawyer about the best course of action for your case.

How are Drugs Categorized in Montgomery County?

Under Pennsylvania law, controlled substances are divided into categories called schedules. The schedule that a substance falls under is determined by that substance’s propensity for abuse as well as its medical value. Substances with high schedule ratings have less medical value and higher abuse potential. As a result, substances with high schedule ratings also have more severe penalties.

Controlled substances are categorized according to the following schedules:

• Schedule I: These substances have no acknowledged medicinal purpose and a high risk of addiction and abuse.
• Schedule II: They have some limited medical uses with strong restrictions on their usage and considerable risk for abuse.
• Schedule III: These opioids have a lower potential for abuse but a higher therapeutic value.
• Schedule IV: These regulated substances have a lesser potential for misuse, despite their significant therapeutic efficacy.
• Schedule V: These have a low risk for abuse and are widely accepted by doctors.

If you are unsure about what class your drug is and are confused about what that means, it would be best to contact a lawyer who is experienced with possession of a controlled substance charge.

Should I Hire a Montgomery County Possession of a Controlled Substance Lawyer?

After you have been charged, the prosecution will begin creating a case against you straight away. You need someone reliable to defend you and protect your rights. Your attorney can represent you in court, call out the authority’s unethical behavior on your behalf, and contest weak evidence. A good lawyer can be an advocate who can get you fair treatment and desirable results for your case.

Contact a Montgomery County about Your Possession of a Controlled Substance Case 

While drug offenses are serious crimes, it would be unfair for you to suffer harsh lifelong consequences for a mistake. It can be challenging to get your life back on track after a drug conviction, so you must take advantage of your available resources, including reliable legal advice. Hiring a knowledgeable possession of a controlled substance lawyer could be a great asset to your case.

Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford is staffed by experienced legal professionals who may be able to help you with your possession charges. We have handled numerous drug possession cases and can work with you to evaluate the details of your specific situation. Using our years of experience, we can build you a strong defense and leverage cleverly crafted arguments to help you get the best possible outcome for your case. Contact our firm today by calling (215) 822-7575 or completing our contact form online.