Every 25 seconds in America, someone is arrested for drug possession. About a fifth of the incarcerated population is serving time for drug-related charges. Now, if you were caught for drug possession and may join this group, you most certainly need a drug possession attorney.
The last thing you want to do is represent yourself in court without any knowledge of how to defend your rights. Your best bet is to have a defense attorney who knows the ins and outs of drug possession laws.
Here we explain 9 reasons why you need a drug possession attorney.
1. They Know and Understand Drug Laws
Criminal defense attorneys are intimately familiar with statutes that regulate drug possession. For example, they understand what statutes criminalize the possession of controlled substance analogs. They understand which statutes prohibit certain types of evidence from being presented in drug cases.
The best attorney can help you challenge the legality of any evidence obtained illegally by police officers who violate your constitutional rights while searching you or your home. A drug possession attorney will also help you avoid self-incrimination.
They’ll challenge the admissibility of any statements made to police officers before you have had a chance to consult with them. They also understand whether certain types of information can be used against you. Things such as incriminating statements made by your friends, family members, or coworkers.
2. They Know the Penalties for Drug Possession
Anybody who has been accused of committing a crime is automatically aware of the drug charges they face. What most people don’t understand is what happens when they’re found guilty or plead guilty to those charges. You might think that all you need to worry about is your jail sentence, but there are also additional consequences of a conviction such as:
- Periods of probation
- Fines
- Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
- Loss of benefits or inability to receive them in the future
These are just some examples. It’ll help you have a professional drug charge lawyer who will understand your specific consequences and explain them to you.
3. They Know the Best Evidence to Present in Court
A drug possession attorney knows how best to present evidence in court to support your case. After reviewing the police reports and any other evidence against you, they’ll know which pieces of evidence are most valuable. They know what to use to suggest reasonable doubt related to your guilt.
Professional drug possession attorneys also know how to challenge the evidence in court. They’ll put their best effort into assuring that you receive the fairest trial possible. If evidence gets thrown out, there is no reason to even go to trial.
For example, the police may not have followed proper search and seizure procedures. They may not have had a warrant when they arrested you. In such cases, the evidence found on you or in your home can be thrown out.
4. They Know How to Negotiate for Reduced Charges
If you get accused of possessing drugs, your attorney may be able to get you a plea bargain if your case is hard to win. This may be the best possible outcome for your situation. It means that you’re pleading guilty to lesser charges with lighter penalties.
However, if you think this is the only option available, you’re giving up without trying. This can lead to an even worse scenario than just pleading guilty in the first place.
5. They Know What to Expect From Judges and Juries
The best lawyer knows whether a case will go to trial before a judge or a jury. It’s important to have an experienced drug possession attorney who can present your case in front of the type of judge that your trial will have.
The same criminal defense lawyer who has represented defendants in front of one judge may not fare as well with another. This can lead to serious consequences for the client. The best attorney knows how judges and juries make decisions in drug possession cases and can use that knowledge to your advantage.
6. It’s Bad When Someone Represents Themselves in Court
You might think that representing yourself is the best way to go about your case, but it’ll probably end up hurting you more than helping. Even if you have a general understanding of the process, going to court without an attorney’s assistance can lead to a weaker defense. Oftentimes people actually hurt their cases by not knowing how specific laws or procedures work.
Not only does a defendant have to be diligent in following the progress of their case, but they also must attend every hearing and trial appearance. If a defendant fails to show up for court proceedings, it’ll significantly damage their chances of acquittal.
7. They Can Answer Questions in a Way You Understand
If you’re very confused about the charges against you and don’t really know how legal proceedings work, then your attorney will be able to explain every step of the process from beginning to end.
They’ll help you avoid common mistakes that defendants make during a case and give an honest account of what they think your chances of winning are.
8. They Can Be There for You in And Out of Court
Unfortunately, you can’t avoid going to court when you have legal troubles. It’s important that you have someone in your corner who will stick with you up until the verdict and even after if necessary.
Your attorney will understand what is happening during the trial and attempt to solve any problems before escalating.
9. They Know How to Cross-Examine Witnesses
Prosecutors rely on the testimony of law enforcement officials and informants to bolster their cases. A drug defense attorney knows how to cross-examine each witness for inconsistencies. This gives you an opportunity to raise doubt as to whether it was actually your drugs tested or not.
The best lawyer also knows effective investigation procedures to determine how the alleged crime was actually committed. They know what evidence is necessary to prove that you possessed a particular controlled substance or narcotic. With that information, they can determine whether law enforcement officials tested your drugs properly.
The Benefits of Hiring a Drug Possession Attorney
If you were arrested for a drug possession crime, the best thing you can do is to speak with a criminal defense attorney. It’s in your best interest since they’ll know what to expect from prosecutors. They have the knowledge needed to challenge witnesses when deciding your case.
They understand drug laws, prosecution procedures, and the best evidence to present in court. Hence, you stand a better chance of winning your case when you have a professional drug possession attorney by your side.
We hope you learned something from this article. Please check out our blog for more informative content.
