Whether it's a situation that got out of hand or a case of mistaken identity, how you choose to respond to an allegation of drug possession could have significant ramifications for your future. Many people assume that there’s been a mistake or that their innocence will become obvious in the court system if they defend themselves. However, without the help of a Bronx drug possession defense lawyer, you face significant risks for your future to be damaged.
The right drug possession lawyer in the Bronx will evaluate your case from the moment you have been accused so that you know that someone is working hard to protect your interests and to gather evidence that can cast doubt on the prosecution's allegations. Drug possession is one of the most common crimes alleged throughout New York and includes people from all walks of life and all ages.
Although many people believe that drug possession is not as serious offense as other drug crimes such as cocaine possession, it is very serious and the possible consequences for a criminal conviction can include any of these or a combination of the following: community service, probation, years behind bars and fines reaching thousands of dollars.
Even those who are charged with misdemeanor drug possession throughout the Bronx could face significant consequences. Without a Bronx drug possession defense attorney to evaluate your case and identify opportunities to protect you, you could be looking at significant problems in your future that could follow you for many years to come. Avoiding a conviction completely is the most appropriate way to approach this situation.
Some of the other consequences of having a criminal record, if you choose to forego hiring a drug possession attorney in the Bronx include being denied loans, higher interest rates on loans you are approved for, being denied employment opportunities and discrimination throughout your community. Furthermore, the stakes are much higher if you are convicted of a felony. You will lose your right to vote and to own a handgun. You need someone who has extensive experience in Bronx criminal defense in general. State laws outline the types of potential consequences for drug possession.
You may be charged with multiple crimes at the same time and it is very important to understand the possible consequences for a conviction of any and all of these crimes. Drugs like cocaine and heroin tend to have stricter penalties than drugs like marijuana and first-time offenders may be under the impression that they will face a reduced penalty. While a first-time offender could be offered alternative sentencing in rehab in lieu of a formal charge, this is not always guaranteed. In fact, if you choose to forego hiring the right attorney, you may not even be presented this option at all. The entire experience of being accused with drug possession in the Bronx is an overwhelming one and one that can make it all too easy for you to trip up and make mistakes that could cost you your future.
When you have someone else who is familiar with the law and the typical tactics engaged in by the prosecution, you at least know that you can focus on what is important by entrusting your attorney to handle the complicated aspects of your case.
Don't wait too long to get criminal defense help because you could make mistakes early on in the case that could enable the prosecution to achieve a conviction much more easily. It can be an optimal solution to pursue alternative sentencing in some situations because this can keep the charges off your records. If you have narcotics in your possession, you could be facing federal drug charges as well and in these cases the prosecution is stronger and the risks are much higher.
A comprehensive defense strategy begins with understanding the charges you are facing as well as the evidence the prosecution has against you. When your attorney is familiar with how this evidence was gathered and whether or not your constitutional rights were violated, you are in a much better position to negotiate a plea bargain or other alternative options in your criminal defense. Don't let this issue go too long without finding a lawyer you can trust.