Drug use remains an unfortunate situation for many people throughout the United States. In fact, statistics gathered from the FBI during 2016 found that 1,572,579 arrests were for drug law violations. Of these arrests, nearly 84.7% were for possession of controlled substances. Regardless of the type of drug charges you’re facing, it’s important to consider hiring legal services to work on your behalf. With that in mind, here are four reasons to hire an attorney while facing drug possession charges.
- Evaluating Your Case
While facing drug charges, it’s understandable to feel like you have no one to turn to. During these times, it’s imperative to consider contacting a law firm. In turn, you’ll likely be able to receive an evaluation of your case. During this time, you’re able to tell your side of the story. Also, these evaluations allow legal professionals to understand their client’s situation. - Preparing a Defense Against Drug Charges
It’s important to be prepared before ever entering a courtroom. Considering that, you’ll be glad to know that a lawyer will help you prepare your case. In part, this means cross examining the prosecution’s witnesses. By doing this, a lawyer will work to try and discredit their side of the story. - Potentially Having Your Charges Reduced
Another reason to contact legal services is to potentially have your charges reduced. Not all drug charges have the same punishments as others. For instance, first time offenders are often charged less harshly than those with prior drug convictions. Considering that, a lawyer will help ensure that you receive as reduced of a sentence as possible. This doesn’t always mean you’ll be able to avoid fines or jail time. However, receiving a reduced sentence could take a lot of stress off your mind. - Much Better Than Representing Yourself
Chances are, you’ve seen someone represent themselves on television or in the movies. While this is entertaining to watch, it’s not an advisable course of action unless you’re a legal professional. If you try to represent yourself, it’s most likely not going to turn out well. Therefore, those facing drug charges contact legal services. In turn, these individuals are able to have a legal professional represent them which is a much wiser solution.
In closing, there are several beneficial reasons to hire the help of legal services while facing drug charges. It’s wise to have someone on your side while dealing with such a stressful situation. Fortunately, criminal defense lawyers help their clients come up with the right strategy. It’s important to note that hiring a lawyer doesn’t guarantee that you’ll win your case. However, it’s the wisest step to take and is much more favorable than trying to represent yourself. If you or someone you know is facing drug charges, contact a lawyer as soon as possible.