Howard County Drug Possession Defense Strategies
If charged with drug possession, the penalties can be drastic. It is important to consult with a Howard County drug lawyer right away to start building a strong defense. If convicted, the results can impact the rest of someone’s life. Reach out to an experienced drug attorney right away to start crafting a defense.
Building a Defense
The penalties for drug possession in Howard County can go up to four year’s incarceration on a first offense. Although, very few receive that, it is the potential penalty and is important t0 be aware of when a person is dealing with possession of drugs. A potential penalty can be impacted because of violation of probation and if they violate probation, even if they get no jail time, they can face incarceration because they violated the probation itself.
Additionally, penalties can affect a lot of other factors in one’s life. It can affect someone’s housing and if a person applies for residency, their application could be denied. Individuals can be asked to leave schools and lose financial means. It would get somebody a criminal record and that has lasting effects on someone’s life.
Building a defense can be complicated in Howard County. One important part of a case is determining if there was an illegal search of seizure, which means it is lawfully found. If narcotics are found, determining if the drugs belong, to the individual person charged is a defense strategy.
If this is a second or third charge, the defense strategy will be different. A Howard County drug lawyer will show what efforts the defendant has done to get help, and shows their background or history which can create a profile of the person to make them look better to the judge.
Diversion or Alternative Sentencing Programs
For some drug possession charges, there can be a diversion or alternative sentencing programs. It could be counseling, community service or drug programs. Very frequently this gives and allows someone charged to keep their record clean if involved with each program.
Constitutional Issues
If charged with drug possession in Howard County, there can be some constitutional issues that can be used as a defense. Primarily, there is an illegal search or seizure of a person that leads to the discovery of the narcotics. However, these searches can be done illegally, which is used a defense for these serious charges.
How an Attorney Can Help
A Howard County drug attorney can create a profile of the individual. Make a presentation as the background, what they have done and how they may just be a victim of a circumstance that they could not help from the very outset. That conveys to the judge and the prosecutor that the person is not a hardcore criminal but is simply in a difficult spot and needs help. A person who needs help should get help as opposed to getting punishment or sentencing and incarceration.
Contact a Howard County Drug Lawyer
A Howard County drug lawyer will want to have a clear understanding of the substance and what led someone to the use of it. All of the factors behind the history of the defendant’s drug use are crucial when building a defense. The charges associated with drug possession can be very serious. Please contact an experienced Howard County defense attorney today to begin building a defense.