There is one thing that each and every person accused of a crime deserves in this country: a fair trial. But who is going to guarantee you a fair trial? Your criminal lawyer, of course. They will formulate a defense and fight for leniency. Even if you are ultimately convicted, having a good criminal lawyer can help you get your charges reduced or your sentence shortened. So how do you find a good criminal lawyer? What will your meeting with them be like? We believe you'll find answers to those and other big questions on this website. After all, we've combed the internet for good, reliable information on criminal law.
When a person has been arrested for illegal drug possession, the urgency of the situation is directly related to the amount law enforcement officials found. An offense of simple possession for personal use has significantly lower potential penalties than an amount indicating the intent to sell, particularly on a large scale. Hiring a drug crime attorney is imperative for preventing the worst consequences.
Possession for Personal Use
Depending on the state, possessing an illegal substance only for personal use can still result in a hefty monetary penalty and a jail or prison sentence. Judges have some discretion in sentencing, which is why skilled legal representation is essential. A drug crime lawyer advocates for leniency, and a judge might sentence the defendant to probation instead of any incarceration time.
Intention to Sell
When a person has been arrested for holding an amount indicating the intention to sell, the situation is more ominous. This can be charged as intent on a relatively small scale or, in contrast, as drug trafficking. Law enforcement officials consider drug trafficking to be the most serious offense in this category. Traffickers sell to dealers rather than to individual customers wanting to buy for their own use.
Bail Considerations
A person caught selling to a dealer or a detective posing as a dealer is in serious trouble. Someone arrested for trafficking may need an attorney quickly for representation at a bail hearing. Without a private drug crime lawyer for representation, a judge might set bail prohibitively high or not allow release before trial. An attorney can make a persuasive case as to why the defendant should be released or offered a reasonable bail amount.
Legal Strategies for the Best Outcome
Using various strategies, drug offense attorneys work for the best possible outcome. Irregularities in the arrest and questioning procedure might be discovered. The search of the vehicle or home may have been illegal. There could have been problems with the chain of evidence management. In those instances, it may be possible to convince the district attorney to drop the charges or a judge to dismiss the case.
When the evidence against the defendant is strong, the lawyer may recommend working out a plea bargain with the prosecuting attorney. The person might avoid incarceration or have a much shorter sentence. An example would be reducing the charges from trafficking to selling on a smaller scale, thus allowing for a more lenient sentence.
For more information, contact a drug crime law firm like Giancola-Durkin, P.A.
Share26 August 2021
