Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer in Pittsburgh

If you have been charged with any drug offense in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, you might be facing jail time. The penalties for drug possession can be a sentence of up to one year and a $5,000 fine. In the case where the charge involves possessing a large quantity, you can be charged with intent to distribute, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 1 to 8 years in state prison.

When you are charged with a drug crime, it is best to talk to a qualified criminal defense lawyer like Joseph A. Paletta before telling your side of the story. Anything you tell police or prosecutors can be used against you later if your case makes it to court. You have the right to remain silent and that cannot be held against you under the law.

Joseph A. Paletta has many years of successful experience with drug crimes cases. An experienced lawyer can determine if your Constitutional rights were violated, and may be able to get the charges against you dismissed. Mr. Paletta will know how to show if drugs were found in your possession as a result of an illegal search and seizure, warrant-less search, whether a search warrant was properly issued and executed, or if the drugs were not yours. His priorities are to protect your rights and fight the charges leveled against you.

State and Federal Drug Crimes

Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney Joseph A. Paletta handles all types of drug crime cases, including, but not limited to:

• Drug possession: marijuana (pot), crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth), speed, cocaine (coke), heroin, ecstasy (MDMA), LSD (acid), steroids, prescription drugs, and other illegal narcotics
• Intent to distribute
• Felony possession with intent to distribute
• Delivery
• Facilitation by use of a phone
• Drug trafficking, smuggling, and conspiracy
• Drug manufacturing, cultivation of marijuana, possession of ephedrine or other chemicals for manufacturing
• Illegal or prescription drugs
• Federal drug crimes
• Other drug crimes including drug charges involving domestic violence, charges involving guns or firearms, or drug charges involving minors.

According to the U.S. Office of Drug Control Policy, 54,149 people were arrested for drug crimes in Pennsylvania in 2005. The most common charges were for possession, selling, or intent to distribute marijuana, heroin, and crack cocaine. Illegal possession and sale of prescription drugs, like the painkiller OxyContin, are becoming increasingly common.

Even if the evidence is stacked against you and conviction is unavoidable; a good criminal attorney can help minimize your sentence and penalties. There are alternatives to prison and a permanent criminal record. In some cases, these alternatives may include Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), community service followed by expungement, Section 17, Section 18, and Intermediate Punishment (IP).

If you have been accused, arrested, or are under investigation for a drug crime in Pittburgh, Pennsylvania, contact drug crime defense attorney Joseph A. Paletta.