It is a difficult situation to be in to be charged with a drug crime. Often, the cases are difficult to fight for various reasons and the stereotypes attached to a conviction for drug possession can follow a person through life, years after the matter has been resolved.

Every drug conviction will affect you down the road. They affect your ability to be employed, to gain education, and they affect your civil rights. Some drug convictions come with probation that includes random drug testing; this can often land defendants right back in jail after they test positively. Others have lasting implications that can affect you the next time you get charged with a drug crime. Every drug conviction or guilty plea in Alabama comes with a mandatory six months’ driver’s license suspension and they can affect your ability to possess firearms.

How Are Drug Cases Won?

Drug cases can be fought and won! The issue that comes up most often in drug cases is the Fourth Amendment Constitutional issue of illegal search and seizure. Unless a law enforcement agent has probable cause to search you or your possessions/vehicle, any evidence discovered and seized cannot be used against you at trial or in general!

Drug cases with search and seizure issues are incredibly fact-specific. The timeline of events, who saw what when, what time of day it was, what color shirt you were wearing, who was driving, the smell in the air, are all extraordinarily important in determining whether your drug investigation, search and arrest were lawful. If the arrest was not lawful, your drug charge is not lawful! Your attorney needs to be skilled in determining whether or not a lawful arrest was made to help you fight your charge.

Another Way Out?

Fortunately, many counties and municipalities in Alabama have enacted “drug court” programs that allow drug offenders to get a second chance. These programs are set up to allow offenders to prove that they can “change their ways.” Upon completion of counseling and courses, payment of fees, steady drug testing and community service, many drug charges can be dropped, wiped away as if they never happened.

What’s On The Line

Another important element at stake in a drug charge is whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. For some clients, it is extremely important that the charge go away, be dismissed or be deferred no matter what, or that the felony is dropped to a misdemeanor because these clients are seeking to protect their future in education or employment. For clients with more of a criminal history, it is important to prevent a felony conviction to avoid violating probation, parole, or the addition of another felony to their record.

Always remember that each and every drug case is different; sound legal advice can only be attained by speaking directly to a knowledgeable and experienced drug crime attorney! Contact The Malbrough Firm LLC, (205) 747-8351.