Category Archives: drug crimes
Opioid Homicide Charges
A Galeton, Pennsylvania criminal case involving an opioid overdose led to the arrest and prosecution of a Lewistown woman for murder, as reported by the Olean Times Herald. The defendant was sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison for one count of drug delivery resulting in death, which is a first degree felony…. Read More »
Possession vs. Possession with Intent to Sell
When facing a drug offense, there is a big difference between simple possession and possession with the intent to sell or distribute. Simple possession of marijuana (up to 30 grams) is a misdemeanor charge, whereas possession with intent to sell is a felony, according to statute 780-113. But how does the prosecution prove that… Read More »
Philadelphia Homicide Rates Linked to Opioids
The numbers are in for 2017, and police and criminal experts are confused. Overall crime rates are low, just like they were in 2016, but there were over 300 homicides. This is the first time since 2012 that the city had more than 300 murders, according to The Inquirer. Typically, homicide rates are in… Read More »
Four Things You Need to Know About Pennsylvania Drug Laws
A number of states have taken a more relaxed approach to the enforcement of certain drugs laws (e.g. Colorado and California legalizing the possession of marijuana). However, Pennsylvania has not embraced this trend. Under current state law, it remains against the law to be in possession drugs such as marijuana, opioids and methamphetamines. Below… Read More »
Court’s Ruling Limits Application of Designer Drug Law in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, it is illegal to manufacture, possess, or distribute designer drugs. Determining what qualifies as a designer drug can be difficult, which leads to many unfair prosecutions. However, a recent decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has helped clarify state law criminalizing possession of designer drugs by limiting its application. To learn… Read More »
Marijuana Possession
Although Pennsylvania has begun to pass and implement medical marijuana laws across the state, it is still illegal to possess marijuana for personal use. However, Philadelphia has taken steps to limit the impact of possession charges in cases involving only a small amount of marijuana. If you were recently arrested for possessing marijuana and… Read More »
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing for Federal Drug Offenses
While many criminal offenses are prosecuted by the state, certain crimes fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. For instance, if a crime was committed on federal property or across state lines, it may be considered a federal offense. Whether an offense is filed in state or federal court can have serious consequences,… Read More »
Reporting Drug Overdoses
In Pennsylvania, those who report a drug overdose to a law enforcement agency are protected from prosecution, if as a result of the report, officers discover the caller’s use of drugs. This law was passed in an effort to encourage residents to report overdoses and potentially save the lives of thousands of individuals; so… Read More »
