What To Do If a Family Member Or Friend Has Been Arrested On Drug Charges...

What To Do If a Family Member Or Friend Has Been Arrested On Drug Charges...

Quite often the individual who is being accused may be incarcerated and their ability to consult with an attorney may be limited.  For this reason, our office receives many calls from Family Members or Friends of someone incarcerated seeking help on what they can do.

Here at the office of Attorney Joseph A. Paletta, we are here to help!

After receiving your call, we will immediately schedule your face-to-face meeting with Attorney Paletta so that you can discuss the situation your loved one is in and what we can do to help. 

Call or E-Mail our office today to schedule your meeting.

Aimee@lawyerpaletta.com

http://www.palettalaw.com/

412.391.7999

How Philly Has Decriminalized Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana

On October 26th WTAE published an article (Arrests down sharply since marijuana law change | Local News - WTAE Home) reporting on a decrease in the number of arrests Philadelphia has seen since their new law was enacted decriminalizing possession of small amounts of Marijuana.

So although possession of the drug is still illegal in the city, those found with 30 grams/or a little more than 1 ounce will receive a citation and a $25 fine.  Public use of small amounts results in a citation, a $100 fine or up to nine hours of community service.

Could a change in Pittsburgh's Drug Laws be coming next???

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Allegheny County contact our office to schedule a free initial consultation. 


- Aimee, Paralegal to Attorney Paletta

412.391.7999
Paletta Law

Com v. A.N. (Drug Charges)

9/18/2012

Commonwealth v. A.N.  (Trial/Motion to Suppress)

Charge/Violation:     1 count - Criminal Use of Communication Facility - Felony 3

                        2 counts –Pos. with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance–                                               2 - Felony charges

                                    1 count – Pos. of a Controlled Substance - Misdemeanor

                                    1 count - Criminal Conspiracy - Felony

Case Facts:  With the use of a Confidential Informant, Police allege that Defendant possessed with the intent to deliver, and in fact delivered, controlled substances (approximately 90 "OXYCODONE" pills)  to a Police Officer.  If convicted, Defendant would face a mandatory "jail-time" sentence.   

Verdict:  Attorney Paletta filed numerous Omnibus Pretrial Motions including a Motion to Suppress, alleging that the arrest of Defendant was unlawful and any evidence seized (controlled substances) or statements made by Defendant as a result, be suppressed.  Attorney Paletta also filed a Motion to Disclose Identity of Confidential Informant and Compel Appearance, requesting that the Commonwealth disclose the identity of the Confidential Informant and failure to do so would violate Defendant's constitutional right to confront witnesses against him.

The Commonwealth agreed to work out a plea bargain with Attorney Paletta for Defendant to plead guilty to certain charges that would only carry a sentence of 5 years probation and NO JAIL TIME .  In exchange for the guilty plea, ALL OTHER CHARGES AGAINST DEFENDANT WERE WITHDRAWN.

A Recent Case Result -

Attorney Paletta recently represented a client who was charged with the following: 

 

2 counts - 35§-780-113§§A16 – Poss. Contr. Substance – Misdemeanor

2 counts - 35§-780-113§§A32 – Use/Poss. of Drug Paraph. – Misdemeanor

1 count – 18§903§§C - Conspiracy – Manufacture,  Deliv, Or Poss. W Intent – Felony

1 count – 35§780-113§§A30 – Manufacture, Deliv, or Poss. W Intent - Felony

 

To read more about this case and to find out what happened check out our Recent Case Results Blog!

                               

 

Com v. D.D. - Drug Charges - Case Results

Commonwealth v. D.D. - Preliminary Hearing

DRUG CHARGES

click below to read about this case and the case outcome ....

http://attorneypalettacaseresults.blogspot.com/2012/10/com-v-dd-preliminary-hearing-drug.html

Com v. DM - Heroin Charges - Case Results

Click the link below to read the case results for this case where client was charged with Possession of Heroin and numerous other charges.....


http://attorneypalettacaseresults.blogspot.com/2012/10/com-v-dm-preliminary-hearing-drug.html

Attorney Paletta's Recent Case Blog

To view some of Attorney Paletta's recent cases, check out our firm's Recent Case blog by clicking below:

Attorney Paletta's Recent Cases

Traffic Stops resulting in Narcotics Prosecutions

"LAWRENCEVILLE TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO MAJOR DRUG BUST"

This news headline is a common scenario today and always leads to a narcotics prosecution.  Traffic stops are a useful tool for law enforcement in their effort to discover illegal drugs such as Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, and drug paraphernalia used to ingest those controlled substances.  Therefore, when a traffic stop occurs, be aware that police will most likely make every effort to either find a reason to search your vehicle(Probable Cause), or to obtain consent to search your vehicle when no Probable Cause exists.

If you are stopped for a valid legal reason, such as speeding or making an illegal turn, Police have the authority and the duty to issue a citation for that Pennsylvania Vehicle Code violation.  However, after the citation is issued, Police will often attempt to expand the stop into a search of the passenger compartment and/or trunk of the vehicle for the purpose of searching for drugs.  For this, Police will need either independent Probable Cause, or consent of the owner or driver of the vehicle.  Know that you have a right to answer “No” to a law enforcement request for consent to search.  Think about it: if Police had the Probable Cause required to search your vehicle, they would not need your consent to do so.