What to Look For in a Drug Possession Lawyer

Getting arrested for possessing illegal substances is an easy way to ruin your day. Some of the penalties you may face include heavy fines, community service, and potential jail time in federal prison. Needless to say, it’s a charge you’ll want to fight, regardless of whether you’re guilty or not.

A drug possession lawyer is trained to specifically defend their clients following a drug arrest. They can fight the charges by challenging the evidence, asking for alternative punishments, and more. In a best-case scenario, you might get to serve your sentence from home.

Here’s what to look for when hiring a drug possession lawyer.

A Strong Portfolio

Before anything else, make sure your drug possession lawyer is a competent one.

Don’t just go for the cheapest attorney or the one with the fanciest website. There’s a lot more factors to consider before choosing the right criminal defense attorney. When it comes to price, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean the best, nor does cheap mean the worst. The best experienced criminal defense attorneys know what a case is worth and can price their services somewhere in the middle of the market. They won’t be the cheapest or the most expensive, but they have the experience and compassion to work for the best outcome. A good experienced attorney knows what they’re worth.

You also want to find a lawyer with strong credentials in criminal defense. Even if you know a skilled real estate lawyer, they won’t’ know how to properly defend you against a drug possession charge. They should have the right academic qualifications and specialize in drug offenses.

Communication Skills

The best attorneys work with their clients on every step of the legal process, from the first charge to the last court appearance. They need to be able to break down the complexities of the legal system as it applies to their specific case.

If a client doesn’t properly understand what’s happening, they may not be able to comply with everything expected of them.

The first time you meet your attorney face to face should not be at the courtroom. You should have already developed a working relationship by that point.

An attorney should also take the time to learn everything they can about their client. For example, what currently motivates them in life and how can that help them appeal to the court? Can they handle an alternative punishment, like community service?

Experience

Experience is key in any career. It shows that the lawyer has a working knowledge of the law and can handle themselves in the courtroom without getting flustered or contradicting themselves.

Make sure that the drug possession lawyer you choose has experience working drug cases. Ideally, it’ll be one of their main areas of expertise, and they’ll have a positive track record.

At the same time, they should have the necessary qualifications to pair with that experience.

Keep in mind that lawyers with less experience generally charge less for their services, as they’re trying to build up their portfolio of cases. It’s up to you whether or not you want to take the risk with them.

Understands How to Defend Drug Possession

Not every recreational drug is illegal, and there are also substances that can be obtained legally for medical purposes.

For example, alcohol and tobacco are technically recreational drugs but not often lumped in with others like marijuana. Controlled substances are also illegal to own if you don’t have a doctor’s prescription for them.

Whether or not they can request proof of a prescription is debatable, but certain states allow police officers to inspect prescription drug records without a court order.

On a similar note, law enforcement officers may obtain access to apps to gain evidence against an arrested person. However, the United States Supreme Court ruled that police require a warrant if they want to go through your phone.

As such, it’s important that your attorney knows all the nuances of drug possession as well as what the police can legally do to enforce it.

Knows the Local Court System

While there are federal laws in place that prohibit the possession, use, and distribution of illicit drugs, it all comes down to the local court system. Different places have their own sets of laws and legalities regarding illegal substances. You need an attorney who is well-versed in these laws AND regularly practices in the county or city where you’ve been charged.

Local courts and judges have a tremendous amount of leeway in their decisions. Knowing the local people involved in your case can make all the difference.

In Texas, offenses and punishments for drug possession fall into four groups depending on how those drugs are classified. The different drug categories are narcotics, depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. There are then five penalty groups that determine the severity of the punishment for making, selling, or possessing the drug. Drug court judges are given a lot of decision making power when it comes to punishment. Therefore, a drug possession lawyer that’s familiar with the court can be a total game-changer for your case.

Accessibility

The right lawyer should be available to dedicate their time to your case as needed. You shouldn’t have to call their office multiple times throughout the week just to get a single update or to leave important information on their messaging system.

Try to find someone who will handle your case from start to finish. Many larger firms will hand off cases to less-experienced junior attorneys or other staff to save money. Don’t let that happen to you. Make sure you get a commitment from your attorney that they will stay committed to your case.

Positive Referrals

Looking into referrals may help your decision-making. Experience from other clients can help you avoid more problematic attorneys.

If you know anyone who has been arrested in the past for drug possession, they may be able to tell you which lawyers they passed on and who they chose in the end. You can also ask a law firm for testimonials from their past clients.

Call the Right Drug Possession Lawyer

A drug possession charge is a serious issue that could lead to other charges down the line. You’ll need to contact a drug possession lawyer to protect yourself, even if you believe you have a strong defense.

The Law Firm of Andrew M. Kolski has over 17 years of experience working in criminal courtrooms around the State of Texas. Our practice areas include both family and criminal cases. Contact us to speak with one of our associates.