Getting arrested for drug possession is frightening, as the penalties can be severe. In Pennsylvania, first-time drug offenders can see up to a year behind bars. Even if you face conviction, though, it does not mean imprisonment is inevitable. What factors make...
Drug Crimes
Does plain view allow police to search without a warrant?
The common perception of police searches is that an officer needs a warrant before opening up a car or home for a search. This is not always the case. A police officer may conduct a search if the officer has probable cause to do so. One way an officer could claim...
Can a drug conviction make you ineligible for financial aid?
You may feel proud when your child gains acceptance into a Pennsylvania college or university. However, you may feel decidedly less so if he or she receives a conviction for a drug-related charge while there that may impact financial aid eligibility. According to...
Consequences of paraphernalia possession for college students
In the eyes of the law, possession of drug paraphernalia is almost as bad as possessing illicit substances themselves. Under Pennsylvania law, it could incur fines and possible jail time. The stakes are even higher for college students. Jail time may disrupt their...
Can the police legally search me without a warrant?
Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you against arbitrary searches and seizures. However, the law allows police in certain circumstances to search you without the authorization of a warrant. This theory of “probable cause” is a tool that officers can use to...
Drugged driving penalties in Pennsylvania
Driving under the influence is against the law in Pennsylvania. Although this phrase originally referred to alcohol, today, it also refers to driving while high. Law enforcement officers can charge a driver with DUI if they have any amount of a substance under the...
Loss of rights with a felony conviction
Many drug crimes result in a misdemeanor. Sentences and consequences are generally less severe than a felony. Possession of certain drugs or the amount of the drug, however, can lead to felony charges. When someone faces a felony conviction, the first thing that comes...
What are the dangers of synthetic drugs?
There are many supporters of legalizing marijuana across the country. This is largely because this is a plant that does not include any chemicals. The all-natural nature of the drug helps to make it fairly safe for use. You cannot say the same thing about many other...
My loved one has relapsed, now what?
When someone you loved is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it can be a harrowing experience. Additionally, many people who make a successful recovery fall victim to relapses, which is just as hard on their family members as it is on the person struggling with substance...
Buyer beware with homeopathic marijuana products
There has been an explosion in the use of marijuana-derived homeopathic medicine. Regardless of whether recreational marijuana use is legal, these are now legal in most states, including Pennsylvania. Cannabidiol or CBD, for example, is a popular marijuana product...