Possession with Intent to Deliver
Being found with drugs in your possession is serious, but if you’re charged with possession with intent to deliver, the consequences could be life changing.
Drugs crime is a serious and growing problem, with authorities reporting significant increases in crime and deaths from substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine. The penalties for anyone caught committing this crime, therefore, can be extremely serious.
Under Pennsylvanian law, anyone charged with manufacture, delivery or intent to distribute drugs will be subject to mandatory minimum sentences. These could see you automatically slapped with lengthy prison sentences and a heavy fine. If you are charged, therefore, it pays to know your rights.
Possession with intent to deliver
The police may charge you with possession with intent to deliver (PWID) if they see you dealing drugs, find evidence such as packaging or find you with such a large quantity of drugs in your possession that they can reasonably assume you intend to distribute.
They may also search for drugs in your home, but for this they will need a warrant. This is a document which will be presented by officers proving that they have the right to enter the property and search for evidence.
The police will only be granted a warrant if they have probable cause that a crime has been committed and that the evidence will be found at a particular location.
However, they will also be able to search your home if you give them your consent, if it’s an emergency or if the evidence is in plain view.
If the police arrive at your door, therefore, it is important to know your rights. You do not have to admit them unless they have a warrant, but if you give consent, they will be able to enter and search in the same way as if they had a warrant.
If they perform a search without fulfilling any of these legal requirements, any evidence will be ruled inadmissible in court.
Penalties for PWID charge
PWID charges are among the most serious drugs offenses. The extent of the penalty will depend on the drugs found in your possession and what you intend to do with them. It will normally be viewed as a felony which means the offense will be given a gravity score of between 1 and 15.
If found guilty, you will almost certainly face a lengthy jail sentence, suspension of your driving license and a permanent criminal record. The impacts will stay with you for the rest of your life. You may find it more difficult to get a job or find housing.
If you are charged, therefore, you should contact a lawyer before you talk to the police. He or she will work with you to safeguard your rights and ensure the proper procedures have been followed. They will ensure the police have acted appropriately and test their evidence for weaknesses.
The first priority is to get the charged dismissed. If this is not possible, they can work to reduce the severity of the sentence, so you can get on with the rest of your life. To find out more about how we can help with your situation, why not get in touch today?
