Before you decide whether you need to hire a drug crime attorney, you
should go over the most common accusations. Whether you have been
charged with possessing or selling a drug, you may find that a good
lawyer can benefit you.
If you have been accused of either possessing or selling drugs, you will
need a good drug crime attorney. This type of legal representative can
reduce the sentence, or even get your case thrown out entirely, avoiding
all penalties. Get an idea of the kinds of cases such lawyers tend to
work with before deciding whether one would suit your case.
The majority of people are accused of the possession of drugs, typically
in a small amount. In order for you to be found guilty of this
accusation, it needs to be proved that you were holding or carrying the
substance, and that you knew what it was at the time. Of course, it also
needs to be shown that it was a drug at all, as some legal substances
can be confused for illegal drugs. If there is any doubt that these
points are true, a drug crime attorney may be able to get the charges
reduced or thrown out altogether.
If you were caught with a large amount of illegal substances, it may be
determined that you intended to sell them. This is especially true if
you have much more than most people would use at once, and if they were
in smaller packages, which are typically known for being easiest to
distribute. Obviously, the penalties for this accusation are more
serious than the ones associated with intent to use illegal substances.
Thus, you will definitely need a good drug crime attorney to convince
the jury that you did not know what the substance was, did not have it
in your possession, or at least did not plan to sell it.
In addition, intent to sell is a little different from actually having
sold the drugs, as the penalties can be stiffer with the latter charge.
If it can be shown that you did in fact distribute illegal substances
before being caught, it is a good idea to get a lawyer. He or she may be
able to create a defense for you that at least reduces the sentencing,
as the penalties often include years of incarceration.
In any of these cases, an experienced lawyer can be helpful, but
especially when you have a lot to lose. While using controlled
substances may have somewhat lenient punishments, as well as various
defenses, distributing can carry harsher consequences. If you want to
avoid jail, fines, or probation where possible, your best bet is to
contact a lawyer well-versed in this area.
