Philadelphia Drug Trafficking Attorney

Drug trafficking is one of the more serious drug crimes in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia law enforcement is very strict in its handling of this and related drug crime offenses. Drug trafficking refers to activities more expansive than mere possession of a drug for personal use; drug trafficking refers to an offense involving large quantities of drugs that are sometimes transported across county lines and even state lines. 

If you or someone you care about has been charged with drug trafficking it is very important to seek the guidance of an experienced, strategic defense attorney. This is not a charge you can afford to be lax about. This is the kind of charge that can get you incarcerated for years, not to mention all the other penalties and collateral consequences that will come with a conviction.

What is the offense of drug trafficking in Pennsylvania?

Drug trafficking is a drug crime involving large quantities of drugs – to the point law enforcement does not believe the drugs are for personal use. It can also involve the manufacture, sale, distribution, or transport of the drug.

To be convicted of a drug trafficking charged in Philadelphia, the prosecutor must prove that you:

  1. grew, manufactured, or obtained an illegal drug; and then
  2. delivered or intended to deliver the drug to another person or persons.

It is important to note that under certain circumstances – like transporting the drugs across state lines – you can be charged with state or federal crimes.

What happens if convicted of drug trafficking in Philadelphia?

Drug trafficking is usually a felony offense in Pennsylvania, and that's the same even for first-time offenders. Penalties can range in severity depending on three main factors:

  • the type of drug;
  • the quantity of the drug;
  • any prior drug crime convictions; and
  • the totality of the circumstances, like trafficking on the internet, trafficking that involves a fatality, or trafficking to minors, all of which can enhance the sentence if convicted. 

The penalties for a drug trafficking conviction are controlled by Section 7508 of The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act, and the penalties vary greatly. For felony charges, you can face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. For other charges, you can face as little as one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. 

Penalties for trafficking marijuana is significantly less than penalties for trafficking methamphetamine. The penalties for trafficking less than 10 lbs. of marijuana are less than trafficking more than 10 lbs. of the same. Further, as noted above, any prior convictions can result in an enhanced sentence. 

To know what you could face in your specific situation, it is important to speak to an experienced drug trafficking attorney in Philadelphia. 

How can a Philadelphia drug trafficking defense attorney help my case?

At the LLF Law Firm, we understand just how a drug trafficking conviction can impact a person's life to his or her detriment. We are committed to your defense. And remember: the State must prove you are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, anything less means no conviction. We challenge the state in a way to create doubt and show the crime of drug trafficking was not committed.

Contact LLF Law Firm today either online or at 888-535-3686. 

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The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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