If you have been charged with a drug crime and need legal advice, consider contacting a Missouri drug possession lawyer. Possession is a common type of drug case, and your attorney can review the evidence and begin building your defense. Also, the lawyer may be able to reduce the charges. Learn more about working with an attorney.
Most drug possession cases are charged as Class D felonies. If convicted, people can face a fine of up to $10,000 and incarceration of up to seven years. People may also be charged with a Class C felony as well as a Class A misdemeanor for marijuana possession. In each case, a drug possession lawyer will fight to help clients reduce the charges or avoid a conviction. Read on to learn about common strategies lawyers use.
Attorneys often recommend drug court for first-time, non-violent offenders. Defendants must plead guilty before starting the drug court program. Drug court programs vary but typically include mandatory treatment and drug testing. Participants also might have to provide community service as part of the agreement. The court and attorney explain all the details before the participant agrees to the program.
After following the requirements and completing the program, the court may drop the guilty plea and charges. Also, many people end up drug-free for the rest of their lives after finishing treatment. Therefore, drug court can help people start sober and more fulfilling lives.
A Missouri drug possession lawyer can also work to get the charges reduced or dismissed. For example, marijuana cases are often reduced to littering or dismissed entirely. The attorney will work with the prosecutor to reach a desired outcome for the client. Since defense attorneys and prosecutors negotiate regularly, they can often reach an agreement.
Sometimes, drug possession cases go to court. When this happens, the attorney presents a defense to pursue a win at trial. Some common defenses include unlawful traffic stops, illegal search and seizure, and unreliable witness testimony. Also, the drugs might have belonged to someone else, or there could be a problem with the chain of custody. Attorneys review all the evidence and follow it when building a defense.
It can feel like the world is closing in when charged with drug possession. First, remember that a charge is not the same as a conviction. Second, contact a Missouri drug possession lawyer so you can get legal advice and help with your defense. Your attorney might advise you to consider drug court or could attempt to reduce or dismiss the charges. Additionally, your lawyer will get ready to try the case in court if needed.
Call us at (417) 865-2181 for more information from Dean Price Law or to schedule a consultation in our office in Springfield.
NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A criminal defense attorney is the legal professional to turn to if you have been accused of a crime. The first thing to understand is that the suspect or accused person is the defense attorney’s client; the attorney works for them. As part of due process, the defense attorney is a trusted adviser with whom…
A misdemeanor attorney can defend people charged with minor crimes. The term misdemeanor is used in the United States to broadly refer to crimes carrying a penalty of less than one year in jail. Although it is a minor crime, a misdemeanor is still an arrestable offense, which is why it is important to have…
Asking the right questions is knowing half of the answers, and a traffic offense lawyer is the person to ask if accused of any such offense in Missouri. In the U.S., traffic laws can be different from one state to another. So, asking your Missouri lawyer the right questions is critical in understanding your legal…
A felony law firm defends people charged with serious crimes. Upon making an arrest, police are obliged to inform the person of their Miranda Rights. These include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. This means that the arrested person is not obliged to answer any police questions until they have…
A criminal defense attorney is the legal professional to turn to if you have been accused of a crime. The first thing to understand is that the suspect or accused person is the defense attorney’s client; the attorney works for them. As part of due process, the defense attorney is a trusted adviser with whom…
A misdemeanor attorney can defend people charged with minor crimes. The term misdemeanor is used in the United States to broadly refer to crimes carrying a penalty of less than one year in jail. Although it is a minor crime, a misdemeanor is still an arrestable offense, which is why it is important to have…