Pennsylvania Possession With Intent to Deliver — Avoid Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
If you have been accused of a felony drug charge or any other drug charge, it is important to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. I have handled many drug cases — from major drug felony cases to misdemeanor possession cases — both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. I understand the issues that often arise in felony drug cases. I strive to provide my clients with the highest-quality representation and fight to protect their constitutional rights.
A person who has been arrested on drug charges or drug offenses, including felony or misdemeanor drug arrests, should act quickly to hire a criminal defense lawyer who can protect their rights and represent their interests.
I am Henry Hilles, and I have been practicing law since 1994. Three of those years were spent in the Montgomery County prosecutor's office, where I was promoted to the Major Crimes Unit, handling cases virtually identical to the ones that I now defend. With my experience and dedication, I am highly qualified to prepared a vigorous defense or negotiate an appropriate result on behalf of anyone charged with a drug offense.
Types of Drug Cases I Handle
Drug cases are prosecuted in both state and federal courts. I have extensive experience handling both state and federal drug cases.
State court drug cases range from significant drug felonies to relatively minor drug possession cases. State court drug sentences are typically less extreme than in federal cases, although state court mandatory minimum sentences can be harsh.
The stakes in federal drug cases are usually very high. The sentencing guideline ranges for major felony drug cases can be extremely high. It is important to retain a lawyer with extensive experience representing defendants in all kinds of drug cases.
I handle cases involving marijuana, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, OxyContin, heroin, ecstasy and other drugs. The specific charges that can be alleged include:
- Possession with intent to deliver drugs
- Drug trafficking or drug sales
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Manufacturing a controlled substance, including operating a meth lab
- Cultivation of drugs like marijuana
- Conspiracy charges related to drugs
How to Win a Drug Case
Achieving the best possible result in a drug case — or winning a drug case outright — is almost always a complex process. Every case requires intense preparation and a unique legal strategy based on the facts and the law. Strategies for contesting a drug case can include:
- Suppression of evidence. Federal and Pennsylvania law dictates that citizens must be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Frequently, the defense of drug cases involves contending that drugs or other evidence were seized illegally. In many drug cases, challenging searches and seizures can be the difference between a conviction and a "not guilty" verdict.
- Possession with intent to deliver. In most felony drug cases, the prosecution must prove that the defendant not only possessed illegal drugs, but that he or she did so with the specific intent to deliver drugs to other people. In many cases, it is important to aggressively challenge whether the defendant actually intended to sell any drugs that may have been found in his or her possession.
- Actual or constructive possession. In some cases, effective arguments can be made that the defendant was not in possession of any drugs and was not aware of any drugs that may have been found near the scene or in the possession of others. The prosecution must prove that the defendant actually knew that drugs were present.
- Alternatives to a drug case trial. In some cases, the best result in a drug case involves negotiating a nontrial disposition or guilty plea. Even in these cases, however, it is often important to aggressively prepare the case as if it may proceed to trial. Prosecutors rarely offer the best plea bargain offers to defense lawyers who they do not believe are prepared to vigorously fight the charges if necessary.
The consequences of a drug offense conviction can vary from probation to decades in prison or even life imprisonment. Regardless of the severity of the offense, it is important to have a lawyer on your side who is experienced with drug cases and is ready and able to present an aggressive defense.
Montgomery County/Philadelphia Area Felony Drug Charge Attorney — Time Counts in Felony Cases. Call Now.
Time is of the essence in preparing a solid case for the defense. It will benefit you to retain an attorney as soon as possible after your arrest or if you know you are under investigation in connection with a felony drug charge. Call my law office today to learn how I can help protect your rights and your freedom: 610-270-8800 or, if you prefer, you can send a secure and confidential e-mail to schedule your meeting.
