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Manhattan Drug Possession Lawyers
If you have recently been arrested and charged with a drug possession crime, you may be wondering what the future holds for you and how you can successfully navigate through the legal issues that you are facing. Drug possession is a broad term that can describe many charges and that may have relatively minor or very serious consequences depending on the exact charges that have been filed against you. Some of the factors that will affect the exact charges that you may be facing relate to the type of drug that you possessed at the time of the arrest and the amount of the drug that was in your possession. For example, if you only had a small amount of one drug, you may simply be charged with general or basic possession with the presumed intent for personal use of the drug. On the other hand, if you had a very large amount of one or more illegal substances, you may be charged with the intent to distribute, sell or traffic the drugs. You may have even been caught trying to sell or distribute the drugs at the time of the arrest. These charges are more serious and could have substantial penalties associated with them.
A minor drug possession charge is generally a misdemeanor, but you may still wish to fight the charge. After all, this type of conviction can appear on your criminal record and could affect your ability to obtain a job and to pursue other plans. In addition, a minor drug possession conviction may result in you spending at least some time in jail, completing community service, paying a fine and even being required to go to rehab. A more significant charge may result in you having to spend years or even decades in a federal penitentiary. It could impair your ability to vote, get a job and more throughout your life.
With the help of a skilled Manhattan drug possession criminal defense attorney, you may be able to address the charges against you in different ways. For example, if you are willing and able to provide information that helps law enforcement officials arrest and prosecute your own dealer or supplier, you may be able to set up a plea bargain agreement. This means that the charges against you could be dramatically reduced or dropped altogether. For example, a felony may be reduced to a misdemeanor. Another option to consider is if your rights have been violated. Law enforcement officers must respect your civil rights throughout all aspects of their investigation, including while gathering evidence and interrogating you. Your civil rights also must be respected during the arrest process. Everything from the coercion of a testimony to the collection of evidence through illegal means can result in your case being dropped or your charges being reduced. Your drug possession lawyer in Manhattan will review all facts to determine if any of these factors are related to your specific case.
While plea bargains, rights violations and other factors can lead to a rather rapid end to the legal matter in front of you, some drug possession cases will be tried in a courtroom. Your attorney’s critical task is to present a defense that knocks holes in most or all aspects of the prosecutor’s case. Raising even a small question of doubt may work in your favor. Presenting defenses related to confused identities, lack of knowledge about the possession of the drugs and more could be some of the many effective defenses that may be used.
Even a seemingly minor drug charge is not a matter to take lightly. It could seem as though the prosecution’s case is solid and irrefutable, but a skilled attorney who has experience with drug possession cases may be able to use various tactics to help you achieve a better outcome than what you may currently be facing. Remember that your attorney could represent you during the punishment phase after a conviction to seek a lighter sentence or to appeal a conviction. While your case may seem hopeless at this point, consulting with a Manhattan drug possession attorney may change your mind and give you hope. Schedule your consultation today to begin the legal defense process.