Is It Possible Get My Drug Charges Reduced or Dismissed?

The Department of Justice describes drug charges as a “major concern” in Pennsylvania. If you’re facing drug charges in Lebanon, you might also feel concerned about how this might affect your future. Depending on your situation, drug charges could result in incarceration, fines, and the loss of various rights. A key goal for many defendants in this situation is to dismiss or reduce their charges. Could a Pennsylvania drug defense lawyer help?

How to Get Your Drug Charges Dismissed in Pennsylvania

Your first goal should be to convince prosecutors to drop your charges entirely. This is generally preferable to an “acquittal,” which involves a not-guilty verdict at the end of a trial. If you convince prosecutors to simply dismiss your charges, you will not have to go through a trial. Trials are stressful, and they can lead to significant legal fees.

Your defense lawyer may be able to cast doubt on your charges in various ways. Perhaps they will show prosecutors that the evidence laid against you is unreliable. Perhaps the arresting officers violated your constitutional rights during a search or arrest, making drug evidence inadmissible in court. Perhaps your charges stem from a case of mistaken identity. Whatever the case may be, prosecutors will drop your charges if they lose confidence in their ability to convict you.

You might also want to consider a pre-trial diversion program. These programs are usually reserved for first-time offenders who commit low-level drug crimes. You might have to show that you’re struggling with a genuine substance abuse problem, and this may cause the court to view your situation as a mental health issue rather than a criminal case. A pre-trial diversion program may require you to complete various steps, such as rehabilitation, regular drug testing, and meetings with a probation officer. If you successfully complete these steps, the court may dismiss your charges.

How to Get Your Drug Charges Reduced in Pennsylvania

If you cannot get your charges dismissed, you can attempt to have them reduced instead. Your lawyer might help you negotiate a plea bargain, which involves pleading guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.

You might also plead not guilty and push for a lower sentence during a trial. Many of the most severe penalties for drug crimes depend on the quantity you allegedly possessed. A defense lawyer may be able to challenge measurement methods, pushing down your possession charges as a result. For example, you might have been caught with cocaine heavily cut with flour. Your lawyer could determine the weight of the flour and subtract that amount from the remaining cocaine, thereby reducing your drug charges.

Approach Your Drug Charges With Help From a Lebanon Defense Attorney

If you are serious about getting your drug charges dismissed or reduced, speak with a Lebanon defense attorney as soon as possible. Remember, you do not need to answer any questions until you meet with your lawyer. In fact, it is almost always best to remain silent until you discuss your situation with a legal professional. Contact Feeman Law to talk about the next stage of your defense strategy.