Wrong Place, Wrong Time: 3 Things to Know if You’re Arrested for a Drug-Related Offense

Have you been arrested for a drug-related offense? Here’s what you need to know.

Nobody wakes up one day and expects to be arrested for using, selling, or possessing drugs. Unfortunately, for some adults, this becomes a grim reality. Each year across the country, individuals are arrested and brought in for questioning for crimes related to drugs and drug use. If you’re facing criminal charges for a drug offense, you are not alone. Whether you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, whether police have overstated your involvement, or whether you actually did commit the crimes you’re being accused of, there are several things you need to know.

First off, do not make any statements concerning the alleged offense until you speak with your attorney. Your first step should always be to ask for your lawyer. Your attorney understands the ins and outs of the legal system. Whether or not you’re guilty of a crime, your lawyer can help guide you and advise you of your constitutional rights. Remember that a police officer’s goal is often to get a confession and a conviction. Your attorney’s job is to make sure that you are treated fairly and that the outcome of your situation is as positive as possible. While hiring an attorney doesn’t mean you’ll walk away without any fines or jail time, it does mean that you will have someone working for the best outcome possible for you considering the specific circumstances of your offense. Your attorney can help explain the legal system to you and will advise you how to move forward.

It’s also important that you avoid speaking with police officers when your lawyer isn’t present. If you are held in jail until your case can be presented before a judge, you may find that police officers try to question you. Never speak or answer questions related to your case without your lawyer present. Even if you’re trying to prove your own innocence or you have a reasonable explanation for something, it’s imperative that you don’t give in to the temptation to defend yourself. Let your lawyer do that.

Make sure you’re totally honest with your attorney about what happened. Did you smoke marijuana? Did you give some to a friend? Did you buy some in another state and bring it home? Your attorney can’t help you if they don’t know what happened or if you are not being honest with them. Your lawyer does not want to judge you or make you feel bad for what happened, but they need to know the true situation in order to best help you. If you’re totally honest, your lawyer will be able to create an effective defense that can help minimize the effects of the situation on your future. If you lie to your lawyer, however, they won’t be able to properly prepare your defense.

No matter what type of drug charges you’re facing, meet with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help create a defense that works for you and can help you begin to move forward with your life.