What Should I Do if I am Charged with Drug Possession?

Drug possession can lead to serious consequences in Pennsylvania. After your arrest, your next moves could be more important than you realize. Handle this situation in an effective manner, and you could mitigate or even eliminate potential criminal penalties. These steps may be easier once you connect with a criminal defense attorney in Lebanon, PA.

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

You should exercise your right to remain silent immediately after your arrest for drug possession. There is very little to gain by speaking with police officers, and you have much to lose. A single offhand comment could make it much more challenging to defend yourself during a subsequent trial. Even if police officers seem friendly and “on your side,” you should not participate in any interviews without your lawyer present.

Once you say that you wish to remain silent, police officers must respect your decision and stop questioning you. If they continue to question you after you have clearly exercised your right to remain silent, any further comments could be inadmissible as evidence.

Request a Meeting With a Defense Attorney

Aside from your right to remain silent, you also have the right to an attorney. You can request a meeting with an attorney immediately after your arrest, and the authorities must facilitate this meeting within a reasonable amount of time. You can meet with an attorney in private, and your discussions are strictly confidential. If your attorney repeats anything you say to the authorities, they will lose their license to practice law. This is true even if you admit to committing crimes in the past.

Understand the Nature of Your Charges

It may be helpful to review the exact nature of your possession charges with your attorney. Certain possession charges are worse than others, including possession with intent to deliver (PWID). In addition, the specific type of controlled substance matters. For example, possession of a “small amount of marijuana” may lead to a maximum of 30 days in jail. Pennsylvania law defines a small amount of marijuana as 30 grams or less.

On the other hand, you might face much more serious penalties for possession of “harder” drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. These charges might require more proactive defense strategies.

Consider Potential Defense Strategies

Various defense strategies could be helpful for those facing possession charges. You might argue that the initial search was unconstitutional. You might also point out that your drugs were mixed with a non-illegal substance such as flour or baking soda, thereby pushing the net weight down for sentencing purposes.

Contact Feeman Law as Soon as Possible

While many steps could be helpful after a drug arrest, most defendants focus on finding a defense attorney as soon as possible. Once you start working with a criminal defense attorney in Lebanon, PA, it may be easier to plan out your next moves. You might also communicate with law enforcement more effectively, and without accidentally making self-incriminating statements. To continue this discussion in more detail, contact Feeman Law at (717) 273-1763 or online.