Criminal Law Firm
People who have been taken into custody due to being accused of drug possession, may immediately respond with panic and trying to explain themselves out of the situation. This may not be the most effective road to innocence, as anything you say may be twisted into a negative light and have an impact on your case verdict. Not every officer handles an arrest in the way he or she was trained. If you think that an officer may have been acting unlawfully at any time leading up to or during your arrest, it is recommended that you seek advice from a legal professional right away.
What if the drug I had on me was a prescription or legal drug?
Sometimes, an officer can get too hasty when they see a substance that may look similar to an illegal drug. You may want to have your attorney request the evidence to be tested in a crime lab, so that your case can be dropped if the results come back that it was not an illegal drug after all.
What if the officer did not ask me if they could search my vehicle?
A common issue that many people encounter is an officer who was not granted permission before searching the vehicle. Do keep in mind that any illegal drugs which were obtained due to being in plain sight, may be used against you. But, anything collected due to a forced search may not be used as evidence during your trial. If this happened to you, then let your attorney know, as it could be that crucial yet small detail which gets your charges dropped or minimized.
What if the officer was undercover and coerced me to buy drugs?
It is possible that the officer who influenced you to buy drugs had committed entrapment. The definition of entrapment is when an officer tricks a person into partaking in a crime in order to make an arrest. An officer may use entrapment knowingly, or unintentionally. Talk with your attorney if you feel like this may have been a factor in your arrest.
Is it necessary that the drug the officer took is brought to my trial?
Absolutely. Your attorney should request that the prosecution brings the supposed illegal drugs to the courtroom, to prove they were not lost in the shuffle. Sadly, officers and other staff may not handle the confiscated drugs as responsibly as they should. The drugs may end up getting thrown away, or even used by someone else. If the prosecution lost the evidence, your charges may be dropped without further question.
Why is it so important that I get help from an attorney?
Hiring a drug possession lawyer Bloomington, IL trusts can be helpful in getting you ready for your trial date. An attorney familiar with criminal defense, likely has that certain knowledge and insight which can increase your chances of charges being dropped or greatly lessened. Depending on what drug you were accused of possessing, you may be faced with substantial fines, jail-time and a mark on your record.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Pioletti & Pioletti for their insight into criminal defense and drug arrest.