Methamphetamine: Its Forms, Effects and Criminal Charges in Pennsylvania
Methamphetamine (aka Meth) is a stimulant which is actually FDA approved under the brand named medication Desoxyn. Meth is a highly addictive drug which can be taken in pill form, smoked, or injected in its powdered form. Smoking this drug produces a “rush.” Oral injection or snorting, however, produces a long lasting high instead of a rush which reportedly can last as long as a half a day. Chronic meth users can exhibit violent behaviors, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, or other forms of paranoia.
Street names for meth include chalk, crank, crystal, glass, ice, meth, uppers, and trash. Meth increases wakefulness which results in increased physical activity, decreased appetite, rapid breathing and heart rate. This is why it is currently marketed in 5 milligram tablets to treat obesity and attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD).
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug and a person convicted of trafficking it at the federal level faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison if the crime involves the trafficking of at least 5 grams of pure methamphetamine or between 50 and 499 grams of mixed methamphetamine. Drug Trafficking is also known as Possession with the Intent to Deliver in Pennsylvania. If it is a second offense the mandatory minimum is 10 years in the federal system. Pennsylvania no longer has mandatory minimum sentences for methamphetamine but it is none the less a serious charge and a first time offender could face a state prison sentence or an extended period of probation. During the time of mandatory minimum sentencing in Pennsylvania a 1st time narcotics trafficker faced a 2 year mandatory minimum sentence for any sale or distribution involving 2 or more grams of Meth. There was 3 year mandatory sentence in Pennsylvania for any sale or transaction over 10 grams and a 5 year mandatory for any distribution over 100 grams.
Distribution of methamphetamine in Pennsylvania is still a felony which is much more serious than a misdemeanor. The criminal defense to a methamphetamine charges must focus on actual and constructive possession as well as downgrading felony charges to misdemeanor charges. It is also important that your attorney focus on pre-trial Motion to Suppress evidence against you based on a violation of your Fourth Amendment Rights and your rights under the Pennsylvania Constitution (Article 1, Section 8).
While often disregarded, the form of Methamphetamine is also an important part of your criminal defense. Your attorney can sometimes argue that a certain form is more conducive to personal use rather than the sale or distribution of the drug. These are important argument and may keep you from serving a long state prison sentence. If you are charge with the sale or distribution of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack, Heroin or any other Controlled Substance, call our office! I also encourage you to read my book, subscribe to my monthly newsletter, and watch my videos.