Understanding Drug Charges and Your Rights

Every year, law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania arrest numerous individuals in an effort to combat rising drug issues. These charges can range from possession and manufacturing to the sale and trafficking of illegal substances.

Frequently, drug-related arrests are compounded by other allegations, such as firearms violations or traffic infractions.

If you or a loved one has been arrested on these charges, the consequences can go beyond legal penalties. You may face significant community stigma, heavy fines, and the possibility of jail time. Your future depends heavily on the quality of your legal representation. To protect your rights and fight for your freedom, you need a highly skilled Morgantown criminal lawyer who specializes in drug offenses.

Important Information You Should Know

Many people facing drug charges give up their rights simply because they aren’t aware of the protections guaranteed by the Constitution. It is vital to understand that if law enforcement acts overzealously or violates procedures, it can lead to charges being dismissed before a trial even begins. If you or a family member is facing charges, remember these crucial points:

• Challenging Illegal Search and Seizure: If your home was searched or your vehicle stopped without a proper warrant, you may have grounds to contest the officers’ actions. Police are not allowed to search your residence or pull over your car without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Arrests made without valid grounds can be successfully challenged by a Morgantown DUI attorney.
• The Right to Remain Silent: You are not obligated to speak to the police or provide a statement during a home search or if you are stopped and found with prohibited substances.
• Requesting Legal Counsel: You have the right to ask for a qualified attorney to represent you. Once you make this request, all police questioning must stop immediately.
• Right to a Fair Trial: Your right to a fair trial is absolute. If there is evidence that the jury is biased against you, your lawyer can request that the case be moved to a different jurisdiction.

How We Can Assist You

Drug charges require a strong and strategic defense, which is exactly what I offer to my clients. I am Attorney Sean Logue, and I hold a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo and am recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Attorney. My team at Mountaineer Law Group is dedicated to handling drug cases and has successfully represented many clients over the years. As an experienced Morgantown criminal lawyer, I will vigorously challenge the evidence brought against you and expose any violations of your constitutional rights or misconduct by police officers.

My process begins with listening carefully to your side of the story and gathering all the necessary details. I will analyze the evidence, including police reports and chemical test results, and interview witnesses as part of a comprehensive defense strategy. I will then present you with a range of defense options tailored to your specific situation, ensuring you are involved in every decision. From court hearings to the final verdict, I will stand by you as your trusted Morgantown DUI attorney, advocating for your rights every step of the way.

Facing drug charges in the Morgantown area is a serious matter that can impact your future housing and employment opportunities. At Mountaineer Law Group, serving Pennsylvania and Berks County, we will meticulously build a robust defense to help you achieve the best possible outcome in court.

To schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options, please call (304) 381-3656 or contact me online. Mountaineer Law Group proudly serves Morgantown and surrounding areas, including Ohio and West Virginia.

The Impact of Drug Crimes

A conviction for a drug offense can have a devastating effect on your life. Beyond damaging your career, it can hinder educational pursuits, strain relationships with family and friends, and result in a loss of freedom. This makes selecting the right criminal lawyer an urgent priority.

Drug charges are taken very seriously in Morgantown and throughout Pennsylvania. If you or someone you care about is facing an allegation of a drug crime, it is essential to partner with a determined legal team.

A skilled and efficient Morgantown DUI attorney will carefully examine all the evidence collected against you. They may be able to prove that your constitutional rights regarding unjustified search and seizure were violated. Under the U.S. Constitution, individuals in the country have specific rights, including:

• Protection Against Illegal Searches & Seizures: Police generally need a warrant, your permission, or an emergency situation to enter and search your home. On the street or in a vehicle, officers must have an articulable suspicion that you are involved in illegal activity to stop and question you.
• Right to Silence: A suspect is never obligated to speak with the police at any point during criminal proceedings.
• Right to Counsel: You are entitled to hire a Morgantown criminal lawyer to guide you through the legal system. Once you ask for a lawyer, the police must stop questioning you immediately.
• Right to a Speedy & Fair Public Trial: The Constitution guarantees due process. This ensures that your trial follows proper legal procedures and that the verdict is not swayed by outside influences.

Even if the police have followed all procedures, a talented Morgantown DUI attorney can still raise reasonable doubts in your defense, such as:

• Lack of Knowledge: If your lawyer can demonstrate that you did not know you were in possession of drugs, the charges may be dismissed.
• No Intent to Distribute: By challenging circumstantial evidence like cash, scales, or baggies, and refuting claims of drug dealing, your attorney can argue against the assumption that you intended to sell drugs.
• Questioning the Substance: To prove a substance is illegal, the prosecutor must provide crime lab evidence. If there are suspicions that the lab or police mishandled the evidence, it may be ruled inadmissible in court.

Mountaineer Law Group is committed to providing top-tier legal representation in drug crime cases. Our Morgantown criminal lawyer team uses extensive trial experience and comprehensive legal knowledge to defend clients against a variety of charges at both state and federal levels. Our areas of practice include:

• Drug possession or sales
• Possession with intent to distribute
• Cultivation and manufacturing
• Prescription fraud
• Trafficking
• Conspiracy
• Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Call us at (304) 381-3656 today for free consultation.