Drug Crime Attorneys represent clients who have been charged with any type of offense relating to the possession or sale of contraband. Possession of a small amount is a lesser offense than being caught selling drugs illegally, or having enough in one’s possession to be charged with intent to sell. Drug sales or trafficking is a very serious charge and conviction can result in a prison sentence of several years.
Public Defenders
Although the court will appoint an attorney for a defendant who cannot afford legal counsel, hiring private Drug Crime Attorneys instead of government-employed ones is strongly recommended. Public defenders can be just as competent as their private counterparts, but they tend to be very overworked without enough time to devote themselves thoroughly to each case.
Self-Representation
There is also the option of representing oneself in the legal system, a process known as pro se representation. This is generally very inadvisable, since most people do not have sufficient knowledge for effective self-representation. They may read books about the process and consider what they have seen on TV, but these scenarios tend to be very dissimilar to what occurs in real life. In addition, it is almost impossible for the self-represented defendant to be objective about his or her case.
The Advantages of Private Lawyers
In contrast, a private criminal defense lawyer has the resources to build a strong case. The attorney can more knowledgeably research related prior case outcomes, hire investigators and interview witnesses. This lawyer will work to find reasons that the prosecution might drop the charges or a judge might dismiss the case. The lawyer also can negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution if this is what the client wants.
When someone is facing charges of drug possession or intent to sell, the situation is a scary one. The future looks dark as the individual wonders how to proceed. Hiring a law firm such as Addair Thurston Chtd. is imperative to prevent the most severe of penalties from being imposed. Being found guilty in court could result in a judge issuing a sentence of many years in prison.
