People who are arrested for drug crimes need to start thinking about defending themselves as soon as they are told they are under arrest. After being arrested for a drug offense, talking to law enforcement without a lawyer being present is a huge mistake. For some reason, people think they can talk themselves out of trouble. They think that they can convince law enforcement to not pursue charges. Talking to law enforcement about drug offenses without a lawyer might actually give authorities more evidence to use against a defendant.
A lawyer needs to be immediately hired after an arrest because work on a defense has to start as soon as possible. Lawyers can look at the reason a person was arrested. In some cases, law enforcement doesn’t follow proper procedure. What if the drug evidence was obtained due to an illegal search? An illegal search can happen during a routine traffic stop. Law enforcement can also illegally enter a home to obtain evidence. There are a number of things that lawyers can do to get charges in a drug case dismissed. Even if charges aren’t dismissed, they can be significantly reduced. Lawyers can work to drop drug felonies down to misdemeanors.
It’s important to understand the consequences of being charged with drug offenses. Possible incarceration isn’t the only thing that defendants should concern themselves with. If a person is being charged with drug crimes, civil forfeiture is a possibility. People have lost homes, vehicles, and money due to drug investigations. In some cases, people weren’t even convicted and still lost property. Being convicted of a drug offense can affect employment and housing opportunities. One mistake with drugs can cause a person to suffer the aftereffects for years. More and more people are conducting background checks that will reveal past drug arrests and convictions.
Although marijuana is now legal in some areas of the United States, it’s still illegal in Texas. While some people see the drug as harmless, it can still lead to a felony arrest in Texas. People from areas where it is legal need to remember to abide by the laws of Texas while they are in the state. If they don’t, they might end up in need of a lawyer while fighting drug charges.
