What you Should Know About Drug Possession Charges
You might want to have a good time but end up on the wrong side of the law. Possession of drugs in almost all states is a crime. Therefore, you do not want to be caught by the police with any of these. However, if you are getting found in possession of illegal substances, it is not the end of the world for you. Drug possession is a minor charge but has dire consequences. You should, therefore, not take it lightly. The insights below will help you know how to tackle this charge.
- You are allowed to make a call after an arrest
The moment you are found in possession of drugs, the next thing to anticipate is an arrest. At this point, it is essential to know your rights. As what you do from this point will determine the future of the case. On arrest, the first person you should call is a lawyer: if you don’t have one click here to get a drug lawyer. Alternatively, you can contact a family member to help you get a lawyer. An attorney will help with introducing flaws to the evidence against you; this way, you will have a better chance of beating the case.
- The prosecutor must prove the charge
The prosecutor is tasked with proving the charge. The role of the attorneys is to highlight the flaws in the evidence provided by the prosecutor or provide contrary evidence. In a drug charge, the prosecutor is expected to prove that you were in possession of an illegal substance, and you knew about it. They are also required to prove that the substance was of usable amount and the kind of substance you had. This is the same information that an attorney might use in your defense.
- A drug possession charge can attract different types of felonies
Note that the penalties for drug possession vary. Also, if you have prior convictions, the sentence may end up being stricter. The typical penalties for a drug charge may include fines, whose amount varies with states. If you are charged with drug possession, you can also be put on probation or serve jail time.
An attorney can help you prove innocence or get leniency with the penalty in the court of law: do not walk this journey alone.
- People with drug addiction can have their charges dismissed
If you are addicted to a drug and found in its possession, your case may be treated differently. The justice system offers help to convicts and dismisses their charges if they agree to the treatment protocols. If you enter a Treatment Court and complete the program, the case may be dismissed.
Drug possession charges have serious consequences. If the police bust you, you should cooperate and be calm. Also, you should call your lawyer immediately to get proper guidance on how to handle the case. They have training and experience and know the different types of defenses they can use to beat the case.
