It is very common to be charged with a felony drug charge, especially when dealing with Schedule I controlled substances like opiates. Even a small amount of opiates can put one in the felony offense tier. One can get a felony charge for carrying too much marijuana or being arrested with it in a school zone. In fact, according to the Administrative Officer of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), out of 35,924 new drugs cases filed in 2018, 34.43% of those involved felony drug charges.
A felony drug conviction can truly be a life altering experience.
If you are facing a felony drug offense, this is a charge you need to take very seriously. Not only will be looking at years of imprisonment and heavy fines, you can also stand to lose your professional license.
You will lose your License as a Physical Therapist.
According to Pennsylvania law, the board that oversees the licensing of physical therapists will not issue a professional license to anyone who has been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act for at least 10 years. The statute 63 P.S. § 1306(a) states:
The board shall not issue a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felony under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), 1 known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” unless:
(1) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(2) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that he has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(3) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this subsection the term “convicted” includes a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
If you are facing a felony drug charge, please call (717) 690-8643 to talk to one of the experienced attorneys at The McShane Firm so we can guide you through this trying time. We have helped many professionals keep their licenses and protected their future. Call Now.
Justin McShane
PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.