Drug Offenses Attorney DC
If you have been arrested for a drug crime, you may want to consult a DC drug offenses attorney from The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. Being accused of a drug crime is a serious matter. An attorney may help you come up with a strong defense and protect your legal rights.
Common Defenses for Drug Crimes
Getting charged with a drug crime can be a scary ordeal and carry heavy penalties. However, that does not mean that you can’t fight the charge. Here are common defenses for drug crimes.
- Drugs belong to another person. Just because drugs were in your possession, doesn’t necessarily mean that they belong to you. For example, let’s say a police officer pulls you over for speeding and sees drugs in your backseat. They actually belong to your friend who is sitting in the passenger seat. You had no idea that the drugs were even there. In this scenario, you may be able to argue that the drugs belong to another person and get your charge dismissed.
- Unlawful search and seizure. U.S. citizens are protected against unlawful search and seizure. A search may be considered illegal if it violates an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy. For instance, if a police officer pulls over your vehicle for a broken tail light and opens your trunk and finds drugs, that is considered unlawful search and seizure. Your DC drug offenses attorney may use that as an argument to get your case tossed out.
- Entrapment. When police set you up, it does not necessarily count as entrapment. For example, if an undercover cop tries to sell you drugs on the street and you say yes, it is not considered entrapment. However, if an undercover cop tries to encourage you to commit a crime you normally would not, it may be entrapment. If you have no history of drug use and the undercover cop tries to convince you over and over to buy drugs and you eventually give in, you may have a viable defense.
- Duress. If you were forced against your will to commit a drug crime, you may argue that you had to do it out of duress. For example, if someone threatened to kill you if you did not deliver a package, that could be your defense for your drug charge.
Consulting a Drug Lawyer Regarding a Drug Charge
After you are accused of a drug crime, one of the first things you should do is discuss your case with a qualified lawyer. A lawyer can assess the details of your case and advise you the best way to proceed forward. For example, your lawyer may let you know if it is better to accept a plea deal or take your case to trial. He or she will communicate with the police on your behalf and look out for your best interests.
Schedule a consultation with a DC drug offenses attorney from the The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. today.