If you face charges for manufacturing a controlled substance in Philadelphia, you need experienced legal representation immediately. Our Philadelphia criminal defense attorney at The Zeiger Firm understands the complexity of drug manufacturing charges and will fight aggressively to protect your rights. Call us today for a free consultation.
What Is the Criminal Offense of Drug Manufacturing?
Under Pennsylvania’s drug laws, specifically the Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device, and Cosmetic Act, drug manufacturing encompasses more than just operating a drug lab. A Philadelphia drug manufacturing lawyer understands that these charges can stem from various activities, including:
- Production – Creating controlled substances through chemical synthesis or natural extraction
- Preparation – Processing raw materials into finished drugs
- Packaging – Storing drugs in containers for distribution
- Labeling – Marking packages for sale or distribution
- Cultivation – Growing plants used to produce illegal drugs
Even involvement in a single step of the manufacturing process can lead to serious criminal charges.
A thorough understanding of these charges and their definitions is vital to fighting back against the prosecution’s case. A prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed every element of the offense, matching your actions and intentions to each part of the crime’s definition. As your drug manufacturing defense lawyer, we will examine every aspect of your case’s circumstances to determine the most effective way of building the best defense.
Drugs Covered by Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Statute
The law prohibits the unauthorized manufacture of numerous controlled substances, including Schedule I, Schedule II, Schedule III, and Schedule IV drugs as identified under federal law. A skilled drug manufacturing attorney regularly handles cases involving:
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Cocaine and crack cocaine
- MDMA (ecstasy)
- LSD
- Psilocybin mushrooms
- GHB
- Xanax
- Vicodin
- Percocet
- Adderall
- Valium
- Angel dust
- Synthetic marijuana
- PCP
- Fentanyl
A conviction on drug charges involving these substances can permanently alter the course of your life. As such, working with a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney is crucial to protecting your future.
Penalties for Drug Manufacturing
A drug crime conviction for manufacturing can result in severe consequences. Manufacturing drugs on a large scale is viewed as an aspect of organized crime in Pennsylvania. As such, the Commonwealth will often seek the harshest possible penalties to serve as a deterrent to others.
Your manufacturing drug charge sentence may depend on several factors, including:
- Type and quantity of the drugs involved
- Whether the drug involved had any accepted medical use
- Prior convictions
- Location of the manufacturing operation
- Presence of weapons
- Involvement of minors
The penalties often include:
- Up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for first-time offenders
- Enhanced sentences of up to 20 years of prison time for repeat offenders
- Additional penalties for manufacturing near schools or playgrounds
- Asset forfeiture
- Mandatory drug treatment programs
- Extended probation periods and other penalties as a condition of your probation or parole
Even a relatively lenient sentence can have grave consequences for every aspect of your life. With these serious penalties on the line, you need a Philadelphia drug manufacturing defense attorney with a proven track record.
Defenses to Drug Manufacturing
A skilled drug manufacturing criminal defense lawyer can employ various strategies to defend against these charges. At The Zeiger Firm, we thoroughly examine every aspect of your case to build a robust defense. Potential arguments we may use include the following:
Illegal Search and Seizure
Law enforcement must follow strict constitutional requirements when conducting searches and collecting evidence. If police searched your property without a valid warrant or probable cause, we can file a motion to suppress any evidence they obtained illegally. We carefully review search warrants, probable cause affidavits, and police procedures to identify any constitutional violations that could lead to evidence suppression.
Lack of Knowledge or Intent
Drug trafficking and manufacturing cases often involve multiple people. Not everyone present at a location is necessarily involved in the manufacturing process. We may be able to show that you had no knowledge of the manufacturing operation or lacked the intent to participate in drug production. This defense is particularly relevant in cases where you were merely present at a location or were misled about the nature of activities taking place.
Chain of Custody Issues
Evidence in drug cases must follow a strict chain of custody from the moment of seizure through testing and presentation in court. We can scrutinize how law enforcement handled, stored, and processed the evidence. Any breaks in the chain of custody can cast doubt on the integrity of the evidence and may lead to its exclusion at trial.
Laboratory Testing Challenges
Drug evidence requires proper scientific analysis by certified laboratories. Our team can examine testing procedures, equipment calibration records, and laboratory technician qualifications. If proper protocols weren’t followed or testing methods were flawed, we can challenge the validity of the test results. This scrutiny may reveal crucial weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Constitutional Rights Violations
Beyond search and seizure issues, we examine whether law enforcement respected all your constitutional rights throughout the investigation and arrest process. These include:
- Your right to remain silent
- Your right to legal counsel
- Your right to be free from unreasonable detention
- Your right to due process
- Any violation of these fundamental rights can lead to evidence suppression or case dismissal.
Missing Elements of the Offense
To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. We carefully analyze the evidence to identify gaps in the prosecution’s case. Common missing elements might include:
- Proof of actual manufacturing activity
- Evidence linking you directly to the manufacturing process
- Proper identification of controlled substances
- Evidence of intent to manufacture
Entrapment
In some cases, law enforcement may have improperly induced you to participate in manufacturing activities. If we can demonstrate that police conduct created a substantial risk that an otherwise law-abiding person would commit the offense, we may be able to establish an entrapment defense.
Contact Our Experienced Philadelphia Drug Manufacturing Criminal Defense Attorney for Legal Assistance
When facing drug crime charges in the Philadelphia area, you need aggressive representation from an attorney who understands the unique challenges of manufacturing cases. The Zeiger Firm brings extensive courtroom experience and a proven track record of success to every case we handle.
When you hire our law firm, we will:
- Thoroughly investigate all evidence against you
- Challenge illegal searches and constitutional violations
- Work to have charges reduced or dismissed when possible
- Negotiate with prosecutors for the best possible outcome
- Prepare a strong defense if your case goes to trial
Let us fight tirelessly to protect your rights and achieve the most favorable outcome possible in your case. Contact our experienced Philadelphia drug manufacturing criminal defense attorney today for a free and confidential consultation.
