Drug Charges in Pittsburgh, PA

Posted by Alan Finkel on July 4th, 2023

If you are charged with drug possession in Pittsburgh, you may face high fines and, in certain cases, jail time. Furthermore, unless you are able to have the record wiped, you will have to live with a criminal record for the rest of your life.

While many people assume that drug possession is a minor offence, the penalties are severe, and you must be informed of the potential accusations you face as well as the consequences of a conviction.  It is critical that you contact a lawyer for drug possession soon after being detained so that you understand your alternatives and have someone protecting your interests.

Proving Possession Charges in Pittsburgh

Keep in mind that if you are driving and have a companion in the car who is in possession of narcotics, you may face possession charges as well, even if the drugs were not yours. The prosecutor must be able to demonstrate the following in order to prove a drug possession charge:

• You were aware of and intended to possess a controlled substance without a prescription.

• You were aware that the drug in your possession was a controlled substance; and

• You had "constructive" or actual possession of the drug.

Only an experienced criminal defense lawyer for drug possession who understands the law can combat prosecutors who want to imprison and penalize persons in possession of cocaine, heroin, or marijuana.  In many situations, your attorney can attempt to reduce the accusations against you by presenting other information that will benefit you, such as a documented addiction that may qualify you for treatment rather than incarceration.

Possession of a Controlled Substance in Pittsburgh drug possession is classified into five classes under the Controlled Substances, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act. Schedule V contains the least serious possessions, while Schedule I has the most serious. The schedules are divided as follows:

• Schedule I medicines are those that have been declared to have no known medicinal utility. This category includes marijuana and heroin possession.

• Schedule II - These medications have limited medicinal applications and a high abuse potential. Cocaine, opiates, and methamphetamine are among them.

• Schedule III - These substances have a medicinal value and are thought to have a lower risk for abuse. This category includes lysergic acid (LSD) and anabolic steroids.

• Schedule IV - This category primarily applies to prescription medications with a limited potential for abuse and that are regularly used for medicinal purposes.

• Schedule V - These medications are often used medicinally and have the lowest potential for misuse. Cough syrups and other pharmaceuticals containing trace amounts of opium or codeine would be classified as Schedule V.

Charges for Possession of a Controlled Substance

Even for little amounts of a controlled substance, you could face high fines in practically all possession instances. In addition to penalties, you may face distribution charges if you have more than specific minimum amounts of any prohibited substance, as well as Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with Intent to deliver prohibited Substances (PWID).  Keep in mind that any drug conviction, whether misdemeanor or felony, will result in the loss of your legal right to possess a handgun in Pennsylvania. Make contact with one of our professional Criminal Defense Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA to ensure that you are going in a right direction with stable solution.