Being arrested on drug charges is a serious matter. Hundreds of people in Atlanta are arrested on drug charges each year, such as cocaine possession. If you have been arrested in Atlanta for possession of cocaine, below are a few steps you should take to protect yourself from the charges you face.
Get an experienced drug crimes criminal defense lawyer. As soon as you are able, and before speaking with the police, make sure that you get a criminal defense attorney who handles drug crimes, especially cases involving cocaine. Having an experienced and skilled lawyer on your side will help you ensure that you receive fair treatment under the law, and that your rights are protected.Don’t speak to the cops without your lawyer present. That saying “anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law”… is most definitely true. Don’t say anything to police about your charges, the evidence, or your recollection of the alleged crime or your arrest, without your lawyer being present. And never speak to the police when you are angry; people who are out of control of their emotions tend to say things that they later regret or that can make things worse for them.Reflect on the facts of your alleged crime and arrest, and be ready to discuss your situation with your lawyer. You are the primary witness to your alleged crime and arrest, so it is important that you try hard to remember everything that happened, when it happened and how it happened, so that you can tell your lawyer about it.Helping Your Lawyer So That Your Lawyer Can Help You
Atlanta drug laws are pretty tough, so your lawyer will be looking for every possible, valid defense that you may have to your drug charges. Your lawyer will review your situation carefully and will study the facts to see if you have any defenses that you can raise. It is important to be truthful and honest when speaking with your lawyer about your cocaine charges and arrest.
Some defenses to cocaine drug charges can include:
- Lack of knowledge that the cocaine was in fact a drug. If there are facts to support your position that you did not know that the white powdery substance you had in your possession was in fact cocaine, and had a reasonable and genuine belief that it was something else, your drug charges are likely to be dropped.
- The substance was not cocaine. If the substance that was found in your possession turns out to not actually be cocaine, but rather is some other legal, white powdery substance, then your charges are likely to be dropped.
- Unlawful search and seizure. If the police violated your rights when they conducted the search that produced the drugs and improperly seized the drugs, your charges may be dropped as a result of the police’s violation of your rights under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
- Your arrest was illegal. You have certain rights when you are being placed under arrest, such as being read your Miranda Rights, and if the police violate your civil rights, your charges could be dropped.
- Evidence was tampered with, or goes missing. If the drugs were tampered with by the evidence lab, or disappeared from evidence after your arrest, there is a good chance that your case will be dismissed.
If you need drug help in Atlanta, contact a drug charges law firm in Atlanta. Contact the drug charges lawyers at Thomas, Webb, and Willis for a free case evaluation. (404) 250-1113.
Blog Post Provided By:
Thomas & Willis, LLC 750 Hammond Drive, Suite 5-100
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Phone: (404) 250-1113