Three Steps to Take If You Have Been Accused of Drug Possession
Being arrested for possession of a controlled substance is a scary and sometimes overwhelming experience. If you’ve never had a run-in with the law before, you may find yourself stressed or confused at what to do next, even more so if you know or don’t think you did anything wrong. When you are facing criminal charges, time is not on your side. The prosecution almost immediately begins building a case against you, so it’s important that you take steps to fight back right away. Here are three steps you can take to improve your chances of a successful outcome to your case.
Challenge Your Charges
If you have been wrongfully accused and you actually have authorization to be in possession of the controlled substance in question, you can easily combat your charges by producing proof. For example, if you are found in possession of a heavily-controlled medication, you can easily clear your charges by producing a valid prescription for the drugs authorized by your doctor.
If you are one of the select few who is authorized to purchase and possess marijuana for medical purposes, you can easily have your charges dropped by producing a proof of purchase and your authorization in the form of a medical marijuana card. These regulations will soon become even more relaxed as voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana legislation last November.
Hire an Attorney
If you are unable to clear your charges yourself, you should not hesitate to retain a skilled West Palm Beach criminal lawyer. A lawyer can analyze all of the facts in your case and help you determine the best course of action. Drug crimes may seem cut-and-dry, but the fact is they’re rarely straightforward, and law enforcement frequently make a number of mistakes that could discredit arguments used against you. An attorney can also work with your prosecution to arrange any plea deals, which may be your best option. A good plea deal will have you plead guilty to your crime or another related charge, but do so in exchange for reduced penalties.
Having an attorney on your side can also help you prepare to bring your case to trial, which you should absolutely do if you know for a fact you are innocent of the charges against you. Once your case reaches trial, your attorney can argue your case and stand up to your prosecution to attempt to prove your innocence or obtain the best possible outcome.
Motion to Suppress Evidence
Speaking of officers making mistakes, the procedures for lawful search and seizure is frequently up for debate, and there’s a decent chance the officers involved in your case may have made a mistake when searching you, your home, or your car to obtain evidence. If you were not placed under arrest and police found drugs stashed away in your glove box, an attorney can move swiftly to suppress this evidence as it was not legally acquired, so therefore, it can’t be used against you.
You should discuss all the facts of your case with an attorney for this reason: you never know what seemingly minor detail can make a massive difference in the outcome of your case.
When you are facing drug crimes charges in Florida, the West Palm Beach criminal defense attorneys at Perlet & Shiner, P.A. are ready to stand up for your rights. Our top-rated attorneys provide each of our clients with hard-hitting, aggressive, and tactical defense designed to maximize their chances of a successful outcome. Each of our attorneys is a former prosecutor with years of experience, meaning we know and understand every angle of criminal law, and can tailor our defense to the arguments your prosecution will use against you. We are dedicated to your success, and always make sure to place the highest priorities on your best interests.
Call and speak with a lawyer today! Call Perlet & Shiner, P.A. at (561) 721-0552 to request an initial consultation and start fighting back against your charges!
