A person found guilty of possessing illegal drugs, such as LSD, cocaine, heroin, and in some cases, marijuana can face arrest in many of the US states and cities. It is considered to be a federal crime. The legal implications may vary from one jurisdiction to another, and be determined based on the quantity of drug recovered from him. If the guilty has been accused of this crime earlier also, he may be sentenced a life term. It can be a distressful situation for anyone, especially if he is not at faults. But if the person is taken to jail, he needs to take care of a few things so that the situation does not worsen further. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts for those situations.
Things to remember when arrested for drug possession crime
What you can do:
- It’s crucial to understand that getting arrested on the suspicion that you had illegal drugs in your possession does not imply you are guilty of a serious crime. So don’t lose your emotional control due to stress. Otherwise, you may run yourself into the trouble of additional criminal charges against you.
- Another thing is when the police put handcuffs, don’t freak out. Wear them and go to the station with them calmly. Before sending you to the lockup, they will give you a chance to talk to your lawyer, family or friend for help.
- Also, make sure you request the court for bail during the hearing process. Don’t stay in jail for a long time. And even if you don’t get bond, remain in touch with your legal attorney for guidance.
What you should not do:
- The police can ask you some personal details including name and age. Answer only when required, otherwise, maintain silence. Under the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution, the person in custody has the right to be silent.
- When the investigation begins, don’t share any detail in the absence of your lawyer. You can convey this to the officer politely.
- At the same time, it’s better to avoid signing any document or giving anything in writing to the police. Any wrong statement made now can prove harmful in the proceedings later.
- Another strict no-no is offering a bribe.
Ways to defend yourself from possession charges
There are a few circumstances that allow you to protect yourself from the drug criminal charges. For example, you were not aware that the friend’s car you were driving had hidden drugs in it. But since only you were there in the car, the police arrested you.
Another situation where you can seek absolution of criminal charges is when police frisk your car and body without reason. In such a case, the drugs recovered from you cannot be the full evidence, and the charges against you can be dropped.
You have full right to fight the criminal charges against you unless there are strong proofs. But, you would need an experienced attorney, such as Castle Bonds, to guide you through the whole case and to take you out of custody.
