Top Avonmore, PA Drug Distribution Lawyers Near You
AGGRESSIVE Beaver County Law Firm Defending Clients Accused of Drug Crimes
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225 Ross Street, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
For legal issues concerning Drug Distribution, let DRK Attorneys, a local practice in Avonmore, Pennsylvania, help you find a solution.
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206 Weldon Street, Latrobe, PA 15650
Representing clients with Drug Distribution issues in Pennsylvania, Latrobe Law Associates, LLC, a reputable law firm based in Avonmore.
429 Fourth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
3000 Lewis Run Road, Clairton, PA 15025
501 Grant Street, Suite 700, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
500 Grant Street, Suite 2500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
625 Liberty Ave, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
525 William Penn Pl, Suite 1710, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
428 Forbes Ave, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
332 Fifth Ave, 1st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
1200 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131
438 Division St, 2nd Floor, Sewickley, PA 15143
429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 608, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
27 W Main St, Carnegie, PA 15106
306 Freeport Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
429 4th Avenue, 1600 Law & Finance Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
304 Ross St, STE 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Union Trust Building, 501 Grant Street, Suite 800, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
220 Grant Street, Suite 301, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
115 N Main St, Second Floor, Greensburg, PA 15601
102 Broadway St, Suite 200, Carnegie, PA 15106
27 W Main St, Carnegie, PA 15106
1 Third Avenue, One PPG Place, Suite 3300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
501 Grant Street, Suite 850, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
501 Grant St, Suite 1010, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Avonmore Drug Distribution Information
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The Crime of Drug Distribution
Distributing illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin or illegally distributing prescription drugs such as pain relievers or sleeping pills are serious felony crimes in both federal and state laws carrying long prison sentences and large fines if convicted. Drug distribution is a less serious crime than drug trafficking because the amount of drugs is typically less.
What Is Drug Distribution?
Drug distribution, or possession of drugs with intent to distribute in many jurisdictions, refers to the sale, importation or transfer of illicit drugs.
The federal government and most state judiciaries view the crime of drug distribution as adjacent to drug trafficking.
Drug Trafficking vs. Distribution: What’s the Difference?
It can be difficult to distinguish drug distribution charges from drug trafficking charges, but the primary point of distinction has to do with the volume of drugs.
Drug distribution, or possession of drugs with intent to distribute, typically involves a lesser amount of a substance such as cocaine being found on the alleged offender, alongside a “substantial” amount of cash. When there is a great deal of the illicit substance found in the possession of the defendant, and/or the defendant is caught conducting a drug deal involving a substantial sum of money and illicit product, these charges may be escalated to drug trafficking.
Contrary to popular belief, drug trafficking charges do not always involve travel between states, crossing interstate borders.
Is Drug Distribution a Felony?
Drug distribution, or possession with intent to distribute, is almost always classified as a felony. There are exceptions, however, in some cases, if the controlled substance involved in such charges belongs to Class A (heroin, morphine, ketamine, etc.), Class B (cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, PCP, meth, etc.) or Class C (psilocybin mushrooms, Vicodin, tranquilizers, etc.), the drug distribution charge is classified as a felony. On the other hand, if the controlled substance at the center of this example belongs to Class D such as cannabis or Class E (weaker prescription drugs) the crime is classified as a misdemeanor.
What Are the Penalties for Drug Distribution?
The penalties for drug distribution vary based on the type of drug being moved, the quantity of the drug involved and the jurisdiction.
Federal penalties for drug distribution and drug trafficking are generally quite severe. For more egregious violations the sentencing calls for a punishment of between 10 years to life imprisonment. Ten or more grams of LSD, 50 grams or more of meth and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana/cannabis (or 1,000 or more plants) qualify for this degree of punishment.
For lesser quantities such as one or more grams of LSD, or 100 kilograms of marijuana/cannabis the federal punishment ranges from five to 40 years behind bars. All penalties are enhanced if the recipient/buyer is under the age of 21 if the distribution is taking place on or near schools or colleges, if other transport-related crimes are conducted in the commission of the offense or if a minor (under age 18) is used in service of committing the offense.
States vary in their treatment of drug distribution or drug trafficking charges. For instance, possession with intent to distribution could result in a sentence of one to nine years imprisonment. In some states, the punishment for charges related to drug distribution range from three to nine years. As with the federally-aligned charges, many jurisdictions enhance penalties related to this offense if minors are involved, or if the distribution takes place near schools, colleges or playgrounds during operational hours.
How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?
If you’re facing charges related to drug distribution or drug trafficking in Avonmore, it is strongly recommended that you secure adequate legal counsel as soon as possible. As outlined earlier, the penalties for drug distribution charges are severe enough to take very seriously, as conviction could mean jail time in addition to a permanent criminal record.
A skilled criminal defense attorney familiar with past precedent and case law pertaining to drug-related offenses can help guide you through all possible options available from a legal perspective, and attorney-client privilege allows you to discuss all relevant details and evidence available in order to craft the best possible strategy.
If you are suspected or charged with drug distribution you should immediately contact a criminal defense lawyer who handles drug distribution cases. The lawyer can assess the circumstances of the case, form a defense, challenge the admissibility of evidence against you, conduct an independent investigation and aggressively represent you.