Don’t be Fooled: Marijuana Possession is Still a Crime in Pennsylvania
While it is true that some states have changed their laws to legalize marijuana use and possession, Pennsylvania is not among them. If police find that you are in possession of marijuana, your first telephone call should be to van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim to retain the services of the foremost Philadelphia Marijuana possession attorneys to represent you.
Marijuana possession is a criminal offense in Pennsylvania, and possession of even a small amount can put you in jail. It can even allow a judge to take away your driving privileges. Marijuana charges should not be taken lightly. You need skilled representation from the premier criminal defense attorneys in Philadelphia.
Defending You Against Harsh Penalties
Possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor. If you are convicted, you could be facing the following penalties:
- Up to 30 days in jail
- Fines up to $500
- Driver’s license suspension for six months
If police find more than 30 grams of marijuana in your possession, you could face up to a year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Fines and the length of the jail or prison confinement double with each subsequent marijuana possession conviction.
At the van der Veen law firm, our team of Pennsylvania drug crime attorneys carefully review the facts of your case to design an innovative defense strategy taking full advantage of weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case. We then utilize facts and provisions of the law favorable to you to exploit those weaknesses.
For example, if this is your first marijuana possession conviction, you could be eligible for conditional release. Conditional release allows you to be placed on probation instead of going to trial on the charge. When you successfully complete probation, your criminal record reflecting the marijuana possession charge is expunged.
Knowing what sentencing alternatives and diversionary programs are available sometimes requires taking the time to conduct research and make inquiries. Our Philadelphia marijuana defense attorneys explore all options the laws make available to you in planning a rigorous defense strategy to defend against the charges, and minimize the penalties to which you are exposed.
A Philadelphia Criminal Defense Team Committed to Protecting Your Rights
If you are in a car or other motor vehicle in which police find marijuana, everyone in the vehicle can be charged with possession unless police can determine to whom the drug belonged. Under this concept of constructive possession, just being in the vehicle means that you exerted control over the drug and can be arrested.
Our savvy Philadelphia marijuana defense attorneys know how police and prosecutors can abuse constructive possession to pressure someone, who simply might have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, to provide incriminating evidence against others in the vehicle. This is when you need our aggressive, hard-nosed defense team to stand by your side and fight for your rights and secure your freedom.
Innovative Defense Strategies from Leading Marijuana Defense Attorneys
Marijuana possession charges frequently are based upon evidence seized by police. Such activities by police may violate your right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The dynamic drug defense strategies offered by our Philadelphia marijuana defense attorneys explores every angle of your criminal case, including the manner in which evidence was seized by police. The ability to recognize and detect improper police search and seizure tactics and use it to have evidence excluded from the case is what has earned our defense team the enviable reputation as the premier Philadelphia drug defense attorneys.
Aggressive and Uncompromising Marijuana Possession Defense in Philadelphia
A conviction for marijuana possession can affect your personal life and career. When so much is at stake, you need Philadelphia marijuana possession attorneys whose commitment to your defense is unyielding. Contact van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim to schedule a free initial consultation by calling us at (215) 486-0123 or by contacting us online.
