Philadelphia Campus Drug Offense Lawyer
Controlled substance charges arise on campus in much the same way as alcohol offenses arise: recreational usage at campus parties on and off-campus. Also, drugs might be discovered in the course of searching a room for another offense such as an alcohol or noise violation.
If you have been charged with a campus drug offense, you should reach out to a dedicated student defense attorney right away. An accomplished Philadelphia campus drug offense lawyer could fight for you and help you understand your legal options.
Campus Drug Offense Penalties
An individual facing campus drug charges could be looking at significant fines, years in jail, probation, and school-related consequences such as suspension or expulsion. Even first time drug charges could include rehabilitative sanctions such as drug treatment sessions.
For possession of marijuana in Philadelphia, a person can receive 30 days’ incarceration or a $500 fine for less than 30 grams. With more than 30 grams, then they are looking at an ungraded misdemeanor for drug possession, which carries more significant penalties.
Possessing prescription drugs illegally can lead to one year in jail and a fine of $5,000 for a first offense and up to three years in jail and a $15,000 fine for a subsequent charge. Drug penalties are serious, which is why defendants should seek the services of a campus drug offense lawyer in Philadelphia as soon as possible.
Student’s Age Impact on Drug Penalties
If the student is under the age of 18, they will go to juvenile delinquency court in Philadelphia’s family court. In family court, they will have a delinquency hearing because they have not reached the point of going to adult court. In juvenile court, there is a range of penalties and diversions that can be assessed that are different than those available in adult court, and the juvenile court will not end with a conviction but with adjudication of delinquency or no adjudication of delinquency.
Common Drug Offenses on Campus
One of the most common drug offenses seen on campuses is possession of an illegal drug. Possession for personal use is the knowing and intentional possession of drugs that an individual is not licensed to have, and this is not based on the quantity or quality of the drug by itself but rather on the intent of the person. The charge is based on the prosecution’s allegations that the drugs were possessed for personal use instead of possessed with an intent to distribute.
Possession with intent to deliver in Pennsylvania indicates a quantity, quality, or some other sign that the drugs are possessed with the intent to share or sell them. Possession with intent to deliver is a felony charge with significant penalties.
Investigating How Drugs Reached Campus
An investigation regarding how drugs reached a college campus can be done in several ways. One way is through confidential and non-confidential informants, including people who work on the campus or students who have knowledge of drug activity. Police and school officers can seek out information on the internet by going undercover and posting or requesting contact for drug sales.
Police officers are not required to tell the truth and can misrepresent that they are students looking for drugs to see if they can find the transporting parties that way. They could always go undercover at a student party and see who might be distributing drugs at a campus event as well.
How a Philadelphia Campus Drug Offense Attorney Could Help
If someone is found responsible for a drug-related offense or is concerned about a campus matter becoming a criminal case, they can contact a student defense attorney for help. If their case goes to court, a Philadelphia campus drug offense lawyer could navigate the case, handle the school disciplinary process, and expunge the student’s record if they already faced criminal charges. Reach out to a dedictated criminal defense attorney today.