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Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer – Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Drug Trafficking Penalties

If you are charged with a drug crime in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania, you could be facing serious jail time and fines.   In some circumstances, the government has enacted mandatory minimum sentences associated with Drug Trafficking.  This means that if you are convicted the judge must impose a minimum sentence by law and may not go lower.  The best criminal attorneys in Pittsburgh are aware of the conditions that will trigger mandatory narcotics sentencing and will move quickly and early to achieve the bet result for you.
Am I facing a mandatory sentence?
You may face mandatory sentencing for many reasons including:

1. The weight of the drugs (see chart below).
2. The proximity of a firearm to the drugs (mandatory 5 -10 years).
3. Being within 1,000 feet of a school or school zone (adds 12 months to your minimum).

As an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer, I know that there are three types of Defendants involved in drug offenses; 1) people who are addicted to drugs, 2)people who deal drugs, and 3)people who do both.  Defendants in the first group do not need to worry about mandatory sentencing.  They are often charged only with Simple Possession, and the mandatory sentencing provisions do not apply to that crime. 
However, defendants in the second or third group are at risk.  If you have been charged with Drug Trafficking it is the DA’s position that you are one of these people.  Sometimes, through negotiations, a settlement can be reached whereby the DA will not seek the mandatory minimum sentence.  Other times, the DA will not negotiate and the best crime defense in Pittsburgh is a trial.
Call Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer Michael V. Worgul now at (412) 475-9217 or 1-855-DUI-CRIM to discuss your case today.
What are the mandatory sentences for weight?
A qualified drug crimes attorney in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania will counsel that the DA may seek a mandatory sentence based on the weight and type of the drugs alone.  The weights that trigger a mandatory vary from substance to substance, and an experienced Allegheny County criminal defense attorney should always be consulted.  Some of the more common mandatory provisions are as follows:

What can you do for me?
In my career practicing Allegheny County criminal defense, I have handled many case involving drug trafficking and the mandatory sentences that come with it.  Like top Pennsylvania criminal attorneys in Pittsburgh and elsewhere, I know that a trial may be the only option to avoid a mandatory sentence.  Fortunately, I have the trial experience necessary to effectively represent you in your case.
With a focus on thorough preparation, superior client service and dedicated representation, I help families and individuals solve a wide range of DUI and criminal litigation issues.
I will respond to your email submission as promptly as possible. I ask that you consider calling me, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer Michael V. Worgul, directly at 1-412-475-9217 or toll free at 1-855-DUI-CRIM for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.  You will also find out how our practice can be put to work for you.