Philadelphia Drug Manufacturing Lawyer

Non-violent drug offenses are common throughout Philadelphia and the rest of the United States. Most people will likely encounter some form of a controlled substance at some point in their life. Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia take drug offenses incredibly seriously, and many drug offenses are punished quite harshly. Suppose you have been charged with manufacturing drugs or a controlled substance. In that case, the outcome of your case will depend on various factors, including how the drugs were manufactured, what kind of drugs were manufactured, and how the drugs were sold. Hiring our Philadelphia drug manufacturing defense lawyer will help you change the outcome of your case for the better.

Charges for manufacturing drugs and related crimes can range from misdemeanors to felonies, so it is crucial to understand your charges’ exact nature. If you have been accused of manufacturing drugs or a controlled substance, you should immediately contact our Philadelphia drug manufacturing defense attorney. Contact The Liberty Law Team by calling (215) 709-7431 to schedule a free legal consultation in Philadelphia.

What Are Drug Manufacturing Charges in Philadelphia?

Drug manufacturing is defined by the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act in Pennsylvania. Drug manufacturing includes producing or creating drugs or controlled substances by someone who is not licensed or authorized to do so. A common example of drug manufacturing is a defendant who has a meth lab. People like pharmacists and other medical professionals are excluded from this law because they are appropriately licensed to manufacture and distribute drugs and medicine.

The manufacture of controlled substances includes the actual creation of drugs and the many steps involved in readying the drugs for sale or distribution. You may also be charged with drug manufacturing if you are packaging or repackaging drugs for sale or merely labeling or re-labeling a controlled substance. You do not necessarily have to be operating an illegal drug lab to be charged with manufacturing. Any number of smaller steps involved in the preparation of drugs for distribution may lead you to drug manufacturing charges.

Drug manufacturing often involves many other drug-related offenses, such as possession and distribution. It is very common to be charged with multiple different drug offenses rather than just manufacturing alone. Contacting our Philadelphia drug manufacturing defense attorney is the first step to understanding the charges against you, the consequences you are facing, and how to mount your best defense.

Jail Time and Penalties for Drug Manufacturing in Philadelphia

The penalties for drug manufacturing in Philadelphia range from lesser misdemeanors to severe felonies depending on the drugs being produced and the manner in which they were created. A defendant convicted of drug manufacturing by adulterating or misbranding a controlled substance may be charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to no more than 1 year in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. However, subsequent violations come with stiffer penalties. Future drug manufacturing charges may come with prison terms of up to 3 years and fines of up to $25,000.

If a defendant were to be charged with manufacturing a Schedule I or II controlled substance, they would face serious felony charges that come with a prison term of up to 15 years and fines of up to $250,000. Schedule I and II controlled substances are more dangerous and addictive than other drugs, which is why they are punished so severely. These drugs include meth, heroin, cocaine, and similarly dangerous drugs.

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may be sentenced to only a few months in prison for drug crimes, or many years. Your case’s outcome will depend on the drugs involved, the manner in which they were produced or prepared, and your criminal history. Your role in the operation will also be considered. Whether you were a leader or a follower can influence the severity of your penalties. Repeat offenders tend to be punished more harshly than first-time offenders. Your exact situation may differ from that which is described here. It is imperative that you seek assistance from our experienced Philadelphia drug manufacturing defense attorney who can help you with your case.

Charges Related to Methamphetamine Manufacturing

Manufacturing methamphetamine is a serious offense that, depending on the case, can be prosecuted under state or federal drug laws. Pennsylvania is a state whose rural areas have seen a resurgence in meth addiction, causing state legislators to create tough criminal penalties for methamphetamine manufacturing. The full range of meth manufacturing products, called “precursors,” may lead to criminal charges in Pennsylvania. If you or one of your family members was arrested and charged with manufacturing meth in Philadelphia, or is under investigation for other meth crimes, costly fines and years in prison are both potential outcomes.

Under federal drug laws, meth is a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II drugs carry some of the harshest drug crime penalties due to their “high potential for abuse.”

At the state level, Pennsylvania methamphetamine laws and other anti-drug laws are regulated by the Controlled Substance, Device, and Cosmetic Act. The Act defines the term “manufacture” to include “the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion or processing of a controlled substance,” including methamphetamine.

State laws have criminalized not only the possession of meth, but also the possession of any item that is used to produce methamphetamine. To use a common example, Pennsylvania makes it illegal to possess pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine or any of its related forms. Pseudoephedrine is a common decongestant contained in Sudafed, SudoGest, Valu-Tapp, and other medications.

Meth charges can be filed in state or federal court, depending on factors like whether the offense crossed state lines or involved government property. While all meth offenses can lead to severe penalties, federal cases have greater potential for high fines and lengthy prison sentences. In addition to carrying greater penalties, federal cases also follow different rules of evidence and judicial procedures. Therefore, it is essential to be represented by a defense attorney who is qualified to handle federal drug trafficking charges if you, your spouse, or one of your family members is under investigation by the FBI, DEA, or other federal agencies.

People who have been charged with meth manufacturing in Philadelphia or other regions of Pennsylvania can quickly find themselves behind bars and labeled as a felon for life. There are many factors at play in any given arrest, which, if recognized and swiftly acted upon by an experienced meth manufacturing charges lawyer in Philadelphia, can mean the difference between freedom and incarceration. 

Criminal Penalties for Manufacturing Meth in Philadelphia

Not only do manufacturing-related offenses involve large quantities of methamphetamine – they also involve a high potential for causing harm to others. For both of these reasons, the act of allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine, or even attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, is a more serious criminal charge than the possession of methamphetamine for personal use, a lesser offense known as “simple possession.” In short, manufacturing is one of the more serious drug crimes that a defendant can be charged with.

Unlike some other drug offenses, manufacturing methamphetamine or operating a meth lab is generally a felony, which has harsher consequences than a misdemeanor. The specific penalties for meth offenses can vary, depending on factors such as: 

• The quantity of methamphetamine involved
• Whether the alleged crime occurred in a school zone or involved a minor
• Whether the defendant was in possession of a firearm
• Whether the defendant was operating a meth lab (a facility where meth is produced)
• Whether it is the defendant’s first offense, second offense, or third offense

Other related offenses include:

• Operation of Methamphetamine Lab – This offense is charged under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7508.2. Operation of a meth lab may be a second degree felony or first degree felony depending on whether the meth is produced within 1,000 feet of a school or within 250 feet of a playground.

• Possession of Precursor Chemicals – This refers to the possession of meth manufacturing materials. The sentence can be up to 20 years, depending on the circumstances.

In addition to serving hefty sentences in state or federal prison, defendants can also be ordered to pay enormous fines and restitution that can cost thousands of dollars or more. Furthermore, the defendant will gain a criminal record, which can make it difficult or impossible to find work, earn professional licenses, enlist in the military, travel abroad, purchase or own firearms, pass background checks for renting and housing, and look for other opportunities in life.

How an Attorney Can Defend Your Drug Manufacturing Charges in Philadelphia

Drug manufacturing is a specific intent crime in Philadelphia. In order to be convicted, the defendant must have known that the ingredients they had were meant for the manufacturing of illicit substances, and they must have had the intent to manufacture the drugs. Basically, the defendant must have known what they were doing. This required intent extends to other aspects of drug manufacturing, such as labeling or packaging illegal drugs. The defendant must know that the substances they are packaging or labeling are illicit controlled substances.

A possible defense to charges of drug manufacturing in Philadelphia is that the defendant did not know they were handing illegal drugs or controlled substances. It is not uncommon that drug manufacturing involves more than one person with one or two people in charge and the others taking orders. For example, if you were told to go buy certain over-the-counter drugs from multiple stores but did not know they were ingredients to make meth, you might have a good defense. If you have been accused of manufacturing drugs, but you believe you were tricked or misled by someone else into the act, you may have a defense. If you did not know you were involved in drug manufacturing, you lack the intent necessary to be convicted.

However, do not be confused by what kind of intent is required. Willful ignorance is typically not a defense. If you suspect that you are involved in drug manufacturing but avoid asking questions because you would rather not, you may still be charged. Your intent is based on what you knew and what you reasonably should have known. Hire our skilled Philadelphia drug manufacturing defense lawyer to determine the best possible defense for your case.

Our Philadelphia Drug Manufacturing Defense Lawyers Can Help

If you or someone you know has been charged with manufacturing drugs or controlled substances in Philadelphia, contact our Philadelphia drug manufacturing defense attorney immediately to assist you with your case. Drug charges of any kind are very serious matters and should be handled by an experienced lawyer with extensive knowledge of criminal defense and drug offenses. Contact The Liberty Law Team by calling (215) 709-7431 and schedule a free legal consultation with a Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer who will defend your rights in court and advocate for your best interests.