If you have been arrested for drug possession or have been charged with the crime of drug possession, you may feel like there is not much you can do to help yourself. Although it is true that you have a lot to lose, there are also things that you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting a fair trial and getting back to your life as quickly as possible.
- Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney. It is important to consult with and consider hiring an experienced and competent criminal defense attorney. A good attorney will have experience with the laws in your state that affect the charges against you. He or she will also have experience defending clients just like yourself against charges similar to your own. Finally, a good attorney will know the court system in your local area. He or she will know the judges and the prosecutors and will have a good relationship with them. Your attorney should be able to use his or her reputation as being honest and fair to help you conduct any negotiation necessary and also to present your best case to the judge or jury.
- Consider Challenging How Evidence Against You Was Obtained. Police officers must have reasonable suspicion that you were committing a crime before they are legally allowed to stop and search you. You may have heard this called “probable cause.” If the police officer who found the drugs did not have a reasonable suspicion to stop and search you, the evidence he or she obtained during the search will not be admissible in court and the prosecution will not be able to prove their charges against you. A competent defense attorney will know your Constitutional rights and will be able to identify any potential violations that may have occurred during the course of your arrest.
- Fight the Charges on Other Grounds. You also may be able to contest your charges on the factual circumstances of your case. For example, prosecutors must show that the drugs were in your possession. If the drugs were not on your body but were, for example, in your friend’s car that you were borrowing and the drugs did not belong to you, you may be able to argue that you never possessed the drugs. A skilled defense attorney will be able to identify potential holes in the prosecution’s case based on the circumstances of your arrest and use them to you advantage at trial or during negotiations regarding your charges or sentencing.
Facing drug possession charges is very serious. The single best decision you can make at this point is to hire a drug crime lawyer Rockville, MD trusts to advocate on your behalf. If you cannot afford an attorney, strongly consider requesting a public defender to help you mount your defense. Drug possession crimes can carry very harsh penalties; make sure that you have someone in your corner who is equipped to help you with the legal aspects of your case.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at The Law Office of Daniel J. Wright for their insight into drug charges.