If you are charged with a drug crime, including possession, manufacturing, trafficking, or intent to distribute, you may be looking to hire drug crimes lawyers. Drug crimes attorneys focus specifically on drug crimes, and as such, they know the best possible defenses for the charges you are facing. If you are facing drug possession charges, you may be curious to learn about some of the defenses a lawyer may use for your case. Here are four defenses to drug possession charges that drug crimes lawyers may use.
The Drugs Were Not Yours
If the drugs were not found specifically on your person, a drug crimes lawyer may argue that the drugs were not yours. This is a common defense if the drugs were found in a car you were in, in a backpack you may have been holding, or if you were wearing someone else's jacket at the drugs were in a pocket. The police and prosecutor need to prove the drugs were actually yours to be charged with drug possession.
The Substance You Were Caught With Was Not a Drug
One of the lesser-used defenses to drug possession charges is that the substance you were caught with was not a drug. Most police departments test suspected drugs to ensure they are real or to determine what specific drug you were in possession of. However, if the substance was not tested, a drug crimes attorney may use this defense.
You Were the Victim of Entrapment
Police are not allowed to entrap people. For example, they cannot ask you to hold a package containing drugs, only to turn around and arrest you for possessing those drugs. If you were involved in a drug sting, there is a chance a drug crimes lawyer may raise the issue of entrapment as a possible defense to drug possession charges.
The Drugs Were Found Illegally
The final defense drug crimes attorneys may use to help you fight drug possession charges is arguing that the police found the drugs illegally. For example, they cannot simply pull you over because they think drugs may be in the car. They have to have a legal reason to pull you over and they have to follow the laws when it comes to searching you and your car. If they found drugs illegally or without the proper search warrants, a drug crimes attorney may argue that the drugs were found illegally as a defense to the charges you are facing.
There are a few different defenses that drug crimes lawyers may use if you are facing possession charges, but the defense that may be used for your case may vary based on the specific circumstances surrounding your case. If you have been charged with a drug-related crime, such as drug possession, reach out to drug crimes attorneys today to see how they may be able to help you.
For more information on drug crimes, contact professionals like Epstein & Robbins.
