Top Folcroft, PA Drug Distribution Lawyers Near You
Expertise Behind the Wheel: Strategic DUI Defense Advocacy.
NAMED TOP 100 PHILADELPHIA ATTORNEYS! One of the most skilled and tenacious criminal defense lawyers!
Free Consultation
Centre Square West, 1500 Market St, Suite 3400, Philadelphia, PA 19102
2000 Market Street, 20th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
30 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
737 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966
620 Sentry Pkwy, Suite 210, Blue Bell, PA 19422
25 S. Church Street, West Chester, PA 19382
516 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401
1735 Market St, Suite 3300, Philadelphia, PA 19103
100 S Broad St, Suite 1910, Philadelphia, PA 19110
1650 Market St, Suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103
2 Penn Center, Suite 900, 1500 J.F.K. Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102
100 S Broad St, Suite 705, Philadelphia, PA 19110
216 W Front St, 2nd Floor, Media, PA 19063
50 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, PA 19003
Skippack Pike, PO Box 1368, Skippack, PA 19474
One Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 206, Trevose, PA 19053
1501 Lower State Rd., Suite 305, North Wales, PA 19454
1500 JFK Blvd, Two Penn Center, Suite 900, Philadelphia, PA 19103
1735 Market Street, Suite 3450, Philadelphia, PA 19103
200 East State Street, Suite 305, Media, PA 19065
1600 Market Street, Suite 1210, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7240
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd Ste 620, Philadelphia, PA 19102
1420 Walnut, Suite 1012, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Center City, PO Box 30095, Philadelphia, PA 19103
1717 Arch St. Ste. 320, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Folcroft Drug Distribution Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Drug Distribution attorneys in Folcroft and checks their standing with Pennsylvania bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
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 Folcroft, 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.