Drug Crimes

Scranton Drug Crimes Attorney

If you or a loved one have been arrested or accused of a drug-related offense, Shrive Law, LLC provides the aggressive defense your case deserves. Our Scranton-based attorney is highly experienced in developing an effective strategy against a wide variety of drug-related charges. Whether it’s your first time facing accusations or you have a history with the criminal justice system, you should always take these charges seriously.

Shrive Law, LLC has always taken pride in standing up for those who find themselves in a difficult situation. We believe that everyone facing accusations deserves to be treated with respect. The American justice system is swift and not always forgiving, so we make it our mission to defend your reputation and your rights from start to finish. That means taking a thoughtful and strategic approach to your case, using the evidence to argue in your favor, and presenting a powerful argument that may be able to help you obtain a positive outcome. With years of experience on our side, we can be a staunch and reliable defender who you can turn to for guidance through even the toughest and most stressful parts of your case.

Put an experienced advocate in your corner today! If you or a loved one are facing drug charges in Scranton, pick up the phone and call Shrive Law, LLC today at (570) 791-9482 for a free criminal consultation.

Common Drug Offenses in Pennsylvania

In general, the vast majority of drug charges will fall into one of four categories:

Charges related to the possession of drugs
Charges related to the growth or manufacture of drugs
Charges related to the sale (or intent to sell) of drugs or drug paraphernalia
Charges related to transport (trafficking) or distribution of drugs

Drugs are controlled by a number of different laws and regulations restricting their ownership, use, manufacture, and sale. Because these laws can be complex, your case could hinge on a number of details that may or may not be important to the nature of your charges, potential penalties, and defense strategies.

Notably, one of the most important factors is whether your charges are state or federal. State offenses will be tried in a county court here in Pennsylvania, while federal charges will be tried in federal court and may be subject to much harsher penalties. Attorney Shrive, is licensed to practice throughout the state of Pennsylvania and is admitted to practice before both state and federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Middle and Eastern Districts of P.A., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and even the U.S. Supreme Court!

Common drug offenses include:

Possession of a controlled substance
Possession with intent to sell
Delivery of a controlled substance
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Manufacturing a controlled substance
Prescription fraud

Pennsylvania law is extremely harsh and leaves a lot of wiggle room for charges when it comes to drug offenses. For example, you do not have to be witnessed delivering or selling drugs in order to be charged; merely being caught in possession of drugs may be enough to warrant a charge for possession with intent to deliver. This can be charged when someone is found to be in possession of a large quantity of substance (usually well beyond what is typically possessed for personal consumption).

Pennsylvania Drug Schedules

In general, the seriousness of drug crime accusations goes up or down based on the type of substance in question. Each controlled substance is classified into one of five schedules based on its potential for abuse or dependence and whether that substance has any known medical uses. Highly addictive substances with no known medical uses are classified as Schedule I and are the most serious offenses, while drugs with lower abuse potential and with some medical uses are classified as Schedule V.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor Drug Offenses

Because Pennsylvania law is so stringent when it comes to drug offenses, it should come as little surprise that many drug offenses are considered felonies. When it comes to Schedule I drugs, virtually all offenses are considered a felony. Simple possession of a Schedule I substance (meaning a possession charge of a small quantity with no further aggravating factors) may be charged as a misdemeanor if it is a first offense. However, any aggravating factors may result in even a first offense being charged as a felony. A conviction for a felony drug offense could carry multiple years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, a permanent criminal record, and so much more.

Charges for lower schedules can vary, and a skilled defense attorney may even be able to negotiate for an offense to be downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor if it benefits their client. We encourage you to reach out to a member of our team to learn more about your case’s specifics and any options you may have. Even small reductions in a drug case, or even the associated charges, can have a big impact on a person’s eligibility for things like public housing, educational opportunities, and current or future employment.

Don’t wait! If you’re facing drug charges, learn more about your rights and start building your defense by reaching out to Shrive Law, LLC today.

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Why Choose Shrive Law, LLC?

At Shrive Law, we offer tenacious defense, personalized attention, and straightforward advice to ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.

Empathy and Respect
We treat each client with the dignity and respect they deserve, regardless of their mistakes. No one is defined by a single moment, and we believe in defending not just your rights, but your humanity.
Personalized Attention & Results
Every case is different, and so is every client. We take a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to ensure that your defense is built around your specific needs and circumstances, offering personalized attention from start to finish.
Free Criminal Consultations
We believe everyone deserves access to quality legal support, which is why we offer free initial criminal consultations to dicuss your case without obligation.
Passionate Representation
Attorney Shrive has always been driven to stand up to bullies, passionately defending those who are marginalized or facing tough situations. We're here to fight for you when it feels like the world is against you.

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He is professional, dedicated, and experienced. I am always impressed by his preparation and expertise. He really goes above and beyond to help his clients, and I would highly recommend Jason to anyone.

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Atty. Shrive has assisted my family in a number of areas—real estate, rental lease agreements, family law, and criminal law. In every case, he was attentive to my concerns and thorough with his advice.

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