My husband deals drugs, what are my options?
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My husband deals drugs, what are my options?
My husband is selling drugs out of my
house mortgage and deed are in my name
only. I have asked him to stop multiple
times and he has refused. I fear doing
anything more then asking him to stop,
as he can be a vengeful man and has
threatened to damage my home before
tear up flooring, remove windows. Our
marriage has not been stable for months,
but I fear if he gets caught, I will be
liable as well, since it is my home.
What are my viable options in dealing
with him? In Pennsylvania state.
Asked on November 19, 2018 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
There are two separate issues here:
1) Criminal liabilty: you are not criminally liable (i.e. won't go to jail) just because your husband deals out of your home, but if there is ANY evidence that you helped in the slightest way--took messages for him, from people who sell to or buy from him; helped "clean up" evidence of his criminal acts; etc.--you could then be charged as an accomplice.
2) Loss of your house: federal law and many states' laws allow a home used to commit crimes--so, a home from which drugs are sold--to be confiscated or taken by the government. This can happen even if the homeowner is not actively participating in the crime, so long as the person doing it is someone she in some way or another permits or authorizes to use or occupy the home--like a spouse. So you could theoretically lose your home over this.
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