3 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer Immediately After Drug Arrest

When you find yourself under arrest for a drug charge, it is often frightening and confusing.  Many people do not know what they can or should say to police officers or what their rights are in general.  According to the Washington Post, someone is arrested every 25 seconds for drug use.  That startling statistic means that the scope of drug arrests is large and if you have been arrested, you need to know what the next best step is. Depending on your specific type of drug arrest, if convicted, it could hold very steep penalties. Whatever the circumstances of your arrest are, the best thing you can do is hire a lawyer as quickly as possible.  Below are 3 reasons to hire a lawyer immediately after a drug arrest.

1. You Don’t Know Your Rights

   • Most people have seen enough television shows to think they know their rights if they are arrested but most people really don’t. Many people experience a rush of adrenaline and fear when under arrest and cannot think straight, let alone remember their rights.  If you have been arrested, you have the right to an attorney and you do not need to say something that is incriminating.  A police officer is trained to ask get answers when asking questions.  Even if the line of questioning seems informal or casual, be aware that everything you say may be used against you.  Politely and respectfully decline to answer questions until your attorney is present.  They will be able to guide you throughout your arrest and possible trial with your best interests in mind.

2. You Need An Advocate

   • If you have been arrested on a drug charge, you need an advocate that understands the law and how things work. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to advocate on your behalf using their expertise in criminal law, as well as their knowledge of how the legal system works to advocate for you far better than you or a court-appointed attorney could.

3. You Want to Increase Your Chance of Reduced or Dismissed Sentence If Convicted

   • Depending on your specific drug charges (i.e. possession, distribution, etc.), they could hold very hefty consequences. These may include fines, jail time, and/or a felony record.  Without the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, you could wind up with the maximum if convicted.  When you work with a good attorney, they will help you get charges dismissed or reduced to give you the best possible outcome.