Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Charge Dismissed

Our client was a college student who ended up charged with numerous offenses, including a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance, gambling devices, and possession of paraphernalia. If convicted of these charges, the student faced a mandatory prison sentence of 3 to 6 years. He knew that he needed help and turned to our Pittsburgh criminal defense attorneys.

We learned that the student was trying to transfer from Allegheny Count Community College to a four-year university to pursue an accounting degree. He had grown up in a tough neighborhood and had friends who were up to no good. The police conducted a raid and found drugs in a house our client was near — but wasn’t inside. Authorities decided to charge our client first and ask questions later. The student was very worried about getting expelled from college or having a permanent criminal record that would prevent him from pursuing his chosen career. A felony possession with intent to deliver conviction definitely could have affected his ability to pursue his education and his career.

We tried negotiating with prosecutors, but at first, they wouldn’t make any kind of plea offer. We proceeded to prepare for the student’s trial and refused to seek a postponement of the case. Realizing we had the upper hand, the prosecutors were forced to lighten their stance, and we were able to reach a settlement whereby if our client remained out of trouble for 6 months, the charges would be dismissed and his record would be eligible for expungement. He’ll be able to move on with his life without the felony possession with intent to deliver and the other misdemeanor charges on his record.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.