Drug Crimes Put 50 Years of Combined Experience in Your Corner

Harrisburg Drug Crime Lawyers

Protecting Your Rights After Drug Crime Charges

A criminal conviction for drug possession, drug trafficking, or manufacturing of methamphetamines can follow you for the rest of your life — separating you from loved ones for years, branding you with a criminal record, and ruining your personal and professional reputations.

At the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer, we can help you fight back against prosecutors and the serious charges you are facing. Our Harrisburg drug crime attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience and a proven track record of success. You can trust our team to defend your rights and freedom.

Arrested for a drug crime? Don't face your charges alone. Contact us today at (717) 775-6110 for a free initial consultation.

Handling a Range of Drug Crime Cases in Pennsylvania

The Harrisburg drug crime lawyer at Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer stands ready to defend you against all types of drug crime charges, including:

  • Drug possession
  • Drug cultivation
  • Drug trafficking
  • Drug importation
  • Drug manufacture
  • Possession and distribution of illegally obtained prescription drugs, such as OxyContin
  • Sale and delivery of party drugs, such as Ecstasy
  • Criminal issues concerning medical marijuana

What Are the Drug Classifications in Pennsylvania?

Under federal and Pennsylvania state law, controlled substances are divided into 5 different categories, called schedules. The division is based on each drug’s potential for abuse and whether it has been approved for medical usage. Controlled substances with a greater potential for abuse and little to no medical value are placed under a higher schedule, such as Schedule I or II. The higher the schedule, the more severe penalties the defendant will face if convicted.

Examples of drugs that fall under each schedule include:

  • Schedule I: LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), heroin, and marijuana
  • Schedule II: Cocaine, oxycodone, and methamphetamines (crystal meth)
  • Schedule III: Vicodin, anabolic steroids, ketamine, and some barbiturates
  • Schedule IV: Xanax, Klonopin, valium, and Soma
  • Schedule V: Cough suppressants that contain specific amounts of codeine and other prescription drugs

Is Selling Drugs a Felony in Pennsylvania?

Selling drugs is typically a felony even if it is your first time. The factors determining the severity of the charge are the type of drug, the amount found in possession, and the classification the state puts them in. Drug trafficking can carry prison sentences of seven to twenty years in prison. In certain situations, a prosecutor may agree to a plea bargain for a lesser charge in exchange for the defendant pleading guilty or for information for a higher priority investigation. There are certain common defenses to drug trafficking charges such as:

  • Lack of intent to distribute or deliver the drugs to another person
  • Lack of knowledge
  • Unlawful search and seizure
  • Entrapment

See What Our Clients Are Saying

We Use Our Experience & Tenacity to Put You in the Best Possible Position

  • “Mr. Lauer is very knowledgeable and personable. He truly cares for each and every client that he defends.”

    - Teresa B.

  • “He made the impossible possible. Mr. Lauer went above and beyond with his defense strategies.”

    - Jodi P.

  • “Go with the lawyer that Wrote the Book! Go with Patrick Lauer!”

    - Brad T.

What Are the Penalties for Drug Crimes?

The penalties you could face for a drug crime in Pennsylvania depends on the type and amount of substance involved, number of previous convictions, and whether or not you had intent to deliver. Possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana, for example, is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. If the amount is over 30 grams, the penalties are increased to a maximum fine of $5,000 and up to 1 year in jail.

Possession of certain illegal substances, such as cocaine, PCP, and meth, can result in felony charges, carrying thousands of dollars in fines and multiple years in prison. If you are charged with possession with intent to deliver, sentencing may involve up to $250,000 in fines and 25 years in prison.

Get an Aggressive Advocate on Your Side

Whether you are a juvenile, a college student, or an adult, facing a drug charge can negatively affect your life in a number of ways. From preventing you from obtaining a scholarship to hurting your chances of getting a job, you want to give your case the best chance now so that you avoid these potentially ruinous outcomes.

If you are facing charges for a drug crime, call the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer at (717) 775-6110 to discuss your case with one of our Harrisburg drug crime lawyers.

Protecting the Rights of People from All Walks of Life

Get to Know Us to See What Sets Us Apart
  • More Than 50 Years of Combined Experience
  • Board Certified for More Than 25 Years
  • More Than 200 Jury Trials & 40,000 Preliminary Hearings
  • Never Lost a Sex Case or Murder Case at Trial
  • Certified in Field Sobriety Testing
  • Exceptional Experience in All Breath Testing Equipment

Start Protecting Your Rights Today

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