Source: https://www.ciccarelli.com/practice-areas/criminal-defense/drug-charges/chester-county-cocaine-charges/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 05:14:34+00:00

Document:
Chester County Cocaine Lawyer | Ciccarelli Law Offices | Ciccarelli Law Offices, a Pennsylvania Law Firm based in suburban Philadelphia (West Chester PA) and serving all of Pennsylvania for Civil and Criminal Litigation matters.
Pennsylvania takes its drug laws seriously. If you’re charged with cocaine possession or manufacturing, or delivering or possessing any controlled substance in Chester County, you may be facing mandatory prison time if found guilty. State or federal charges may also be imposed for drug trafficking, distribution or sale. If you face a serious drug charge in Chester County, you need an aggressive, experienced attorney who will fight to preserve your freedom.
The repercussions for the crime could depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of the substance involved in the alleged offense and if the crime is being charged as a federal offense. An experienced drug defense attorney can help you fight the charges.
Whatever the charges, cocaine possession, drug trafficking or interstate distribution, our Chester County Criminal Defense team can help you. We have over 50 years of experience successfully defending clients against drug charges. We know how to challenge drug searches and arrests that often violate due process rights and will file motions to suppress evidence improperly obtained.
A drug conviction could change the rest of your life. You could face jail time, steep fines or both. In addition, there could be other consequences outside of the courtroom. If you face charges for cocaine possession or any other cocaine-related offense, contact a drug defense lawyer at Ciccarelli Law Offices.
The attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices are experienced in handling a variety of drug cases, including possession with intent to deliver. We will work with you to make sure you know the battle you are facing and to ensure your rights are represented. Your future is important, and we can help you protect it.
Ciccarelli Law Offices represents clients throughout West Chester, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Malvern, Radnor, Kennett Square, Springfield, Plymouth Meeting and King of Prussia, along with anywhere in Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County or Lancaster County. Call (610) 692-8700 for a free consultation.
When necessary we will work to get the authorities to reduce a charge from a felony to a misdemeanor, or even dismiss the charge completely. We may contest the prosecution’s assertion that any drug or controlled substance presented as evidence ever belonged to you. There are many ways in which a drug charge can be fought and we can help you present the best defense for you. Contact us for a consultation to explore your options.
Pennsylvania divides controlled dangerous substances into five “Schedules.” Schedule I lists the most dangerous drugs, which have a high probability of abuse and addiction, and no recognized medical value. The drugs in Schedules II, III, IV and V decrease in the level of threat and likeliness to be abused. Cocaine is a Schedule II drug, according to Pa. Cons. Stat. §25.72.
Pennsylvania law makes it a crime to possess cocaine, which could be actual or constructive possession. Actual possession would be considered as having the substance on you, such as in your pocket or in a purse, whereas constructive possession would be in a close vicinity to you. For example, if a person has cocaine under the seat in his or her car, it could be considered constructive possession.
A first offense of possession of cocaine could mean up to one year in jail and $5,000. However, a second offense could mean up to two years in prison, plus fines, and up to three years in prison for a third offense, up to $25,000 in fines or both.
If a person is accused of attempting to sell drugs, the charges often are more serious. In possession with intent to deliver charges, deliver means to transfer or attempt to transfer something from one person to another. The transaction does not necessarily have to take place for it to be considered possession with intent.
The penalties for possession with intent to sell are determined by the Schedule of the drug. Cocaine and other Schedule II drugs could carry up to a 10 prison sentence and up to $100,000 in fines.
Penalties for unlawful manufacturing of a drug are the same as possession with intent to distribute.
Drug trafficking charges often are connected to large quantities of drugs. In these cases, the federal government could become involved, especially if the offense crosses state or federal borders. In these cases, the more drugs possessed the steeper the charges.
If a person is convicted for trafficking between 2 and 10 grams of cocaine in Pennsylvania, he or she could face one year in prison and a fine of $5,000. However, if at the time of sentencing the defendant has been convicted of another drug trafficking offense it could be three years in prison and $10,000, according to 18 Ps. Cons. Stat. § 7508.
Trafficking between 10 and 100 grams could mean three years in prison and a fine of $15,000, unless the defendant has been convicted of another drug trafficking offense. Then the penalties could be increased to five years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
If a person traffics more than 100 grams, he or she could face four years in prison and a fine of $25,000. If he or she had a previous drug trafficking conviction the penalties could be increased to seven years in prison and $50,000 in fines.
If you are facing cocaine-related charges, contact a West Chester drug defense lawyer at Ciccarelli Law Offices. Our attorneys can help you build a strong case and fight to have the charges reduced or dropped. We understand the sensitivity of your case, and we want to make a difference. Call (610) 692-8700 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced legal team.
When facing drug charges from cocaine possession, to the sale and distribution of crack, the odds are stacked against defendants – our team of experienced Chester County criminal defense lawyers can help even those odds. We know the state and federal criminal justice systems. We have the ability and knowledge to provide a comprehensive array of legal remedies and options to drug offense clients, from having charges dropped to reclaiming vehicles seized during a drug arrest. If you’ve been arrested or charged with a serious drug offense in Lancaster County, West Chester or Chester County, contact us right away to discuss your defense.
You deserve a Chester County criminal defense lawyer who will be available when you need him, who will treat you with respect, and who will work to defend your rights vigorously. Our dedicated and experienced drug crime lawyers will make your choice all the clearer when picking an attorney in Chester County. For more information or to schedule a case consultation with our defense attorney, call our West Chester office at (610) 692-8700. With a free evaluation and no fees until you win, you have nothing to lose!

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