Drug Offenses Safe and Protected with Powerful Representation

Not Guilty Double Homicide
Not Guilty DUI
Acquittal Impeachment Trial
Pardon Granted Governor’s Pardon for Theft
Pardon Granted Governor’s Pardon for Assault
Not Guilty Drug Trafficking
Not Guilty Murder Case
Charges Dropped Arson
Not Guilty Aggravated Assault
Not Guilty Rape case
Charges Dropped Embezzlement
Charges Dropped Embezzlement
Not Guilty Drug Trafficking
Not Guilty College student rape case
Not Guilty Aggravated Assault
Not Guilty Child Pornography

Philadelphia Drug Crime Lawyer

Pennsylvania courtrooms often aggressively prosecute drug crimes. The consequences of minor drug crimes can be enough to leave you with lifelong consequences. When you or a loved one faces drug charges, defend yourself with knowledgeable and committed legal representation. With the help of a skilled Philadelphia drug crime lawyer, you can protect your reputation, freedom, and future.

At van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin, our team of more than a dozen experienced criminal defense attorneys has decades of combined experience fighting for the rights of the Philadelphia community. We do not take drug cases lightly, which is why we provide our clients with thorough and meticulous representation against their charges. We are prepared to stand up for you against any type of drug crime, no matter how complex it may seem.

As your criminal defense attorney, you can trust us to provide you with aggressive representation in and out of court while also supporting you and answering your questions through every step of your case.

Find Out What Your Case is Worth

We invite you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Call (215) 610-3440 or contact us online to learn more.

They make my concerns their concerns.
“Thank you for always picking up the phone. I could not have a better firm representing myself, family and my friends. If you want an attorney that gets the job done, Look no more!!! Contact Attorney van der Veen.”

- Leslie L.
Having been represented on different subjects Mike has provided the same outstanding results!
“This law firm has been nothing but the best for my company! Mr. van der Veen has always worked very hard and communicated well with each situation that he has represented me in. I would highly recommend this firm!”

- Sewall M. Jr.
They take full control of your case allowing you to have peace of mind while they win.
“I have been a client of this firm for many years now, and all that I can say is these are the Top Lawyers in the City! My experience over the years have been excellent! Thank you van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin. Job very well done.”

- Quiana
Guided me through the process for a success.
“Very satisfied with the way they handled my case, answer all my question, provided me with needed information.”

- Frank A.
You should not go anywhere else.
“This firm is the absolute best! Very knowledgeable, pleasant, and amazing!! I recommend this Law firm to anyone with an issue. can't speak highly enough for this firm and it's attorneys! It was truly a wonderful experience.”

- Bennie H.
The team is definitely a dream team straight outta Philadelphia Center City!
“I first want to thank this dream team they definitely was a pleasure to work with and I am glad I chose Van der Veen law firm to get the jobs”

- RB
Michael is superb! Great attorney, great team, great job.
“Outcome was better than expected. Forever thankful to Mike’s reliable firm. If you want great results they are your guys. Strongly recommend.”

- Ninel B.
They handled every aspect of my case with integrity and pride.
“Wonderful customer service. The team at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin is the real deal. I would definitely recommend them.”

- Former Client

Building a Defense Against All Types of Drug Charges in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania law decides what types of charges you will face based on elements like what substances were involved, how much of it you had, and what the prosecution suspects you intended to do with it. We have defended clients against charges such as:

Possession: Charges for having illegal drugs on your person
Possession with intent to distribute: Charges that commonly result from having a large amount of illegal drugs on you
Drug trafficking: Charges brought when you are caught transporting a significant amount of controlled substances
Possession of drug paraphernalia: Charges that arise from having items or tools associated with drugs, like pipes, scales, or baggies
Prescription fraud: Charges of fraudulently writing or manipulating medical prescriptions for medications
Marijuana charges: Charges for possessing marijuana, despite decriminalization in other states
Federal drug crimes: Charges for offenses like transporting drugs across state lines or having a significant amount of controlled substances in your possession

Any of these charges can be enhanced if the drug offense takes place near a school. Whether your charges are related to cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, meth, prescription opioids, or cannabis, our team of experienced Philadelphia drug crime lawyers can develop a plan to protect your rights and future.

Drug Schedules According to Pennsylvania Law

Depending on the drugs affiliated with your charges, the Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device, and Cosmetic Act will dictate the severity of the penalties you are facing. Some examples of where certain drugs land on this table include:

Schedule I: Heroin and LSD
Schedule II: Cocaine and oxycodone
Schedule III-IV: Xanax and steroids

The lower the drug schedule, the higher the consequences. Do not make the mistake of assuming your Schedule I charges are minor. They are, in fact, extremely serious.

Common Penalties for Drug Convictions in Pennsylvania

The consequences of a conviction will vary from case to case. Our Philadelphia drug crime lawyers can help you understand what is at stake in your case. Depending on the nature of your charges, some legal consequences you may be facing include:

Jail or prison
Large fines and other legal fees
A suspended driver's license
Forced drug testing and treatment
Immigration difficulties for non-citizens

There are also collateral consequences to keep in mind. While a court may not impose these consequences, a conviction could still deny you opportunities to gain or keep employment. You may have trouble securing loans for higher education, and you may also have a hard time finding a place to live. The consequences of a drug crime can last a lifetime, which is why it is vital to act quickly to build an early and strategic legal defense.

What a Strong Defense Strategy Crafted by a Philadelphia Drug Crime Lawyer Looks Like

At van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin, we challenge everything the prosecution has against you. As soon as we take your case, we will look into the viability of defense strategies such as:

Proving the police collected the evidence against you in an illegal search and seizure
Establishing that there is no solid proof that the drugs in question were yours
Proving that you had no intention of distributing any controlled substances
Questioning the chain of custody of any evidence and pushing to make it inadmissible after any mishandling
Proving that Philadelphia law enforcement entrapped you to commit a crime
Explaining that the drugs in question were for medical use or were legitimately prescribed to you

We are able to develop creative and compelling cases for our clients by scrutinizing all of the information surrounding your case, not just the police report. We are prepared to file motions to suppress illegal evidence and exploit any other weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. If we need to take your case to trial, we have a team of experienced courtroom litigators who will stand up for you.

What You Need to Know About Federal Drug Charges

If your charge constitutes a federal offense, the prosecution will allege that they meet certain standards regarding:

Transporting narcotics across interstate or international borders
Manufacturing or trafficking any drugs on a large scale
DEA, FBI, or Homeland Security investigations
RICO cases that result from conspiracy or organized crime allegations

Federal cases have mandatory minimum sentences and require a high level of experience to properly protect you from them. Our vast experience in the criminal defense system at the state and federal levels allows us to build robust defenses for any of our clients.

What You Need to Do After Being Charged With a Drug Crime

If you think you are about to be charged with a crime or you have already been charged, follow these steps immediately:

Do not talk to the police or any investigators without a Philadelphia drug crime lawyer present.
Do not consent to any searches without a warrant.
Do not explain your side of things or try to justify anything, as the police will use it against you.
Reach out to our law firm as soon as possible to start crafting your defense.

We understand it can be hard to build an effective criminal defense strategy, which is why we offer complimentary consultations to help you get started.

How a Drug Offense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA, at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin Can Help You

When you are facing drug charges, choose a legal team that is committed to your best interests. Our clients trust us to defend them because we are a collaborative team of trial-ready attorneys with decades of experience.

Our Philadelphia drug crime lawyers are available any day of the week to take your call, and our commitment to our clients has been recognized locally and nationally. Our history of defending clients has earned us a fierce reputation among judges and prosecutors, and we are eager to shield you against the consequences of drug charges.

Drug Crime Defense Legal Services: Areas Served

At van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin, we provide strategic and results-driven drug crime defense representation to clients throughout Pennsylvania. No matter where you live, our legal team ensures that effective, experienced defense is always within reach.

We serve clients in the following areas:

Click on your location to discover how our Pennsylvania drug crime defense lawyers develop tailored defense strategies to protect the rights and futures of individuals facing drug-related charges in these communities.

Contact a Philadelphia Drug Crimes Lawyer Today

Whether you are facing drug charges ranging from possession to federal trafficking, now is the best time to obtain a drug offense attorney in Philadelphia, PA.

The sooner we start representing you, the stronger your defense can be, so act now by calling us at (215) 610-3440 or reaching out online to schedule your free initial consultation today.

The Person Who Sees The Whole Picture Meet Michael T. van der Veen

From local business owners, to the President of the United States, we fight for everyone's best interest. As founder of the firm, Michael T. van der Veen effortlessly combines accessibility, experience, negotiation, collaboration, and compassion to achieve results. He is the rare trial attorney who excels in both civil litigation and criminal defense. Known for his unwavering commitment to serving as the voice of the victim and advocate for the accused, he has established his reputation by winning multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in State and Federal Courts, as well as winning major criminal trials across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Crime Defense in Philadelphia, PA

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 215-610-3440 today!

Philadelphia police officers may charge you with possession even if they do not find drugs on your person. If there were any drugs in your vehicle, residence, or vicinity, prosecutors may try to build a case against you.
Any evidence collected against you without a warrant may become inadmissible in court. If the police enter your home without a warrant, do not interfere with their search and reach out to our law firm as soon as possible.
Many possession charges escalate to intent to distribute charges when there is a significant amount of drugs on a person or a lot of paraphernalia or packaging present during the arrest.
Yes, any conviction of a crime has the potential to affect both your career and immigration status. As your legal representation, we will explore all options for avoiding these consequences.
Every case is different, and so are the legal resources necessary to defend a client. At your free initial consultation with us, we will review your situation and give you a fair and honest projection of what it would cost for us to defend you.

in their own words

Clients share their experiences and results firsthand

"this law firm has afforded low income people of Philadelphia a relationship with an attorney that they can come and meet. To have a the intuition to give a damn about the little people, and then give them that same kind of respect and consideration is unmatched." -Melvin
"He gives you the impression there’s a person you can count on, a person that you can rely on in terms of having some representation. He kept me informed, he kept me up to date with everything that was going on throughout the process. What doctor, what appointments, who I have to see…I was always very well informed." -Sam
"I love that I have Mike on my side, whenever I question what am I supposed to do? I used to call my dad and after my dad passed, even for things that aren’t always law related, I know I could still call Mike, and I love that about him. He’s just amazing, and I know that if I send somebody here that they’re going to be represented a hundred percent." -Jamie
"He represented me in multiple criminal cases, and I had a lengthy criminal record. He never judged me, and treated me like anybody else, he never looked at me different. He's a real good guy, professional, very honest. When I say I never went to another attorney...he's the best." -Tiffany

the complete coverage advantage

Full-Spectrum
Law

From criminal defense to personal injury and beyond, clients gain seamless, strategic support from a full-service law firm built to handle every legal challenge under one roof.
Values-Driven
Practice

From pro bono advocacy to charitable and community involvement, our attorneys are deeply invested in the people and causes they serve, because real justice includes giving back.
Human-Centered
Advocacy

We stand as the voice of the injured and a strong advocate for the accused. We don’t just see a case, we see the people and futures at stake, and we fight accordingly.
High-Caliber
Results

Our attorneys are nationally recognized, featured in major media, and trusted with the complex, high-stakes cases, because when the outcome matters most, experience matters more.

Safe and Protected with Powerful Representation

Trial Lawyers Excelling in the Areas of Law Most Critical to You and Your Family

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