8 Signs That You Need a Drug Possession Attorney

Every year, Texas law enforcement arrests more than 135,000 people on drug charges.

This is a big deal because the state is notoriously tough on drugs. Getting caught with even very small amounts of controlled substances can result in massive fines and extensive jail time. Drug charges can cause havoc in your personal and professional lives, as well.

Read on to find out how a drug possession attorney can protect you, now.

What Is A Drug Possession Attorney?

A drug possession attorney is a lawyer who specializes in drug-related cases.

In addition to understanding the legal process, these lawyers have deep knowledge of your state’s drug laws. They are experienced in navigating the complex waters of the legal system to protect you and your rights.

What They Do

You can expect a drug possession attorney in Houston to:

• Honestly and intelligently evaluate your case
• Explain the full scope of your situation to you in easy-to-understand terms
• Help you understand the law and your options
• Guide you through the legal process
• Capably represent you in court
• Assist you in addressing drug-charge-related fallout in your home or workplace
• Get you the best possible results

Attorneys know and understand people’s rights in ways the average Texan does not. They can find and leverage legal loopholes, procedural errors, and other opportunities you would never know to look for. They know how to work with prosecutors and law enforcement to minimize or even dismiss charges.

Most importantly, a criminal defense drug possession attorney protects you, your job, and your family. They can help you walk confidently and safely through a difficult and stressful time.

Who Needs An Attorney For Drug Possession?

How do you know if you need an attorney for drug possession? Many Texans are very unclear on this point. They question whether every individual charged with a drug offense really needs a lawyer or if some people can defend themselves.

When in doubt, of course, it is always best to talk to an attorney. There are ways to evaluate the situation on your own, however.

Here are 8 easy to identify signs that you need a drug possession attorney.

1. You Feel You Were Wrongly Accused

Were you driving a friend’s vehicle or holding onto a friend’s possession when drugs were discovered in it? Were you in the wrong place at the wrong time? Did someone give you something that you didn’t realize was illegal until you got busted?

There are many ways to find yourself inadvertently associated with or in possession of controlled substances. Being caught with or in the presence of drugs doesn’t always mean that you are at fault. That doesn’t prevent law enforcement from charging you with a crime, however.

Unfortunately, it is a mistake to assume that you can simply explain your side of the story in court. Your word does not have the weight of legal evidence. As such, it is extremely unlikely that the court will rule in your favor.

A drug possession attorney can help you put together the evidence you need to legally back up your story and properly defend yourself.

2. You Aren’t Sure Of Your Rights

Drug law is complicated. Controlled substances are regulated at the federal, state, and local levels. At every level, the applicable regulations can be different.

Worse, they can often be extremely specific and written in hard-to-understand legalese. Law enforcement is required to explain your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Beyond that, however, they are largely not required to explain anything else.

This means that you can accidentally waive your rights simply by not knowing what those rights are. Individuals facing drug charges frequently fail to take advantage of protections available to them because they didn’t know they had options. Once you have made these mistakes, they usually cannot be undone.

A Houston drug possession attorney can explain your rights and make sure that all of them are used to your best advantage.

3. You Have Been Accused Of A Serious Drug Offense

Texas drug laws are strict. The penalties for even minor offenses are severe.

For example, being caught with less than two ounces of marijuana can land you in jail for six months. You might face fines of up to $2,000 on top of that jail time, too.

Serious offenses, such as “intent to distribute”, can carry sentences of life imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000.

If you are charged with a serious drug crime in Texas you need to hire a drug possession attorney immediately.

4. You Don’t Fully Understand The Charges Against You

Texas classifies drugs into four different categories. It classifies offenses into numerous categories, as well. There are felonies and misdemeanors, for example, and sub-categories of each of those designations.

That’s just at the state level. Local and federal laws can further muddy the waters. Just figuring out what you have been accused of and by whom can be enough to make your head spin.

You can’t defend yourself if you don’t understand what you’re facing. An attorney for drug possession can help you get a clear picture of your situation and formulate an effective legal response.

5. Multiple Agencies Are Involved

It is not uncommon for multiple law enforcement or social services agencies to be involved in a single set of drug charges. If getting a handle on your situation sounded complicated with only one agency to deal with, imagine how confusing and overwhelming it can get with several agencies in the mix.

A criminal defense drug possession attorney can handle, streamline, and coordinate communication between all the agencies involved in your case at every level. This not only protects you but vastly reduces the amount of stress you will face.

6. You’re Worried About Or Facing Challenges Outside Of Court

Drug charges don’t occur in a vacuum. Getting accused of drug possession can have ramifications at work, at home, and in other organizations that you belong to. This can be true even if you have been wrongly accused.

The consequences can be no less severe than the legal ones you face and can continue even after legal proceedings end.

A drug possession attorney can help you protect your job, housing, social standing, and the rest of your life when you stand accused of drug charges.

7. You Have A Home And Family To Protect

For many people facing charges, their biggest concern is the impact the situation will have on their homes and families. Spouses, children, parents, and other dependents can all be seriously impacted by drug charges even if they had nothing to do with the situation.

A drug possession attorney in Houston can work with you to protect the people you love no matter what the outcome of your case.

8. You May Qualify For Diversionary Programs

Not everyone who is found or who pleads guilty to drug offenses has to go to jail. Despite Texas’s fierce drug laws, the state does have diversionary programs. These programs are also called “alternative to incarceration” options.

They may involve substance abuse treatment, community service, education, or a combination of those options. They are most likely to be available to first-time or small-scale offenders who make plea deals with prosecutors.

An attorney for drug possession can assist you in determining if you qualify for any of these options and help you secure the one that is best for you.

Hiring An Attorney

By now, you’re probably wondering “where can I find a criminal defense drug possession attorney near me?” If you or someone you love is facing charges, don’t wait to call a drug possession attorney. Reach out to Houston’s best and get the help and protection that you need and deserve today.