Common Mistakes When Facing Drug Charges
Good people make mistakes. If you have been arrested for a drug crime, you will need an experienced New York criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and defend your freedoms. However, an attorney can only do so much. You need to make sure that you do not make any of these common mistakes when facing drug charges. If you do, it will be very difficult for an attorney to help you.
Common Mistakes When Facing Drug Charges | Making Unnecessary Admissions
The first and potentially most damaging mistake people make when faced with drug charges is making unnecessary and incriminating admissions to the police. While it’s always best to be cooperative and respectful, an arrested person is not obligated to say anything at all to the police, and doing so without a lawyer, especially when a drug charge is involved, can be disastrous. When you encounter the police, be courteous and calm. Do not, however, volunteer any more information than is necessary. Call a New York criminal defense lawyer with a proven record of handling drug cases at your earliest opportunity.
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Common Mistakes When Facing Drug Charges | Assuming You Can Plea Bargain
Some people unfamiliar with the courts might place too much faith in the “plea bargain.” Widely misunderstood, the plea-bargain is not simply a chance to ask the judge to “cut you a deal.” Not everyone is entitled to a plea bargain. Depending on the charge, the prosecutor, the judge, the circumstances of your case, and criminal and personal background, your lawyer may be able to arrange for you to plead guilty to reduced charges.
Common Mistakes When Facing Drug Charges | Posting on Social Media
The Internet is not anonymous, and it is not private. It never has been, and it probably never will be. You must be careful about what you post online. If you’ve been charged with possession of marijuana, and your Facebook or Instagram pages are loaded with pictures of pot and paraphernalia, 4/20 references, and smoke-ring selfies, the prosecution will find these, and will present them in court as evidence if they deem it necessary.
Perhaps surprisingly, many people also incriminate themselves on forums designed for those seeking legal advice to ask questions of attorneys. These can be a useful resource, but some people share too much, and the sites are not anonymous or secure. They are plastered with disclaimers to that effect. You must not share personal information on these sites. While they are largely benign, if you’re seeking legal advice, you’d be better off calling the office of a trusted New York criminal defense lawyer.
