Methamphetamine. It is known as one of the most serious drugs on the market, and it is one that unfortunately a lot of people can get addicted to.
Shows like Breaking Bad have made meth popular, but it is not popular to the cops on the street looking for drug possession.
Someone is arrested for drug possession every 25 seconds. One of those people might be you.
Possession of methamphetamine has serious consequences not just emotionally and mentally, but also legally. You could be looking at serious jail time if you are charged with this.
What should you do now? Where do you go?
You find a criminal defense lawyer. Here is what you should do and how a lawyer will help you as it pertains to federal drug crimes.
Stay Silent
Remember the golden rule that anything you say can and WILL be used against you in a court of law. So, if you are having your hands placed behind your back and being taken into the back of a cop car, you need to remember this immediately.
The arresting officers may try to talk to you like you are their friend. In bigger cases, you may even have a detective involved to talk to you and try to get you to reveal information without a lawyer present.
Stay quiet, do not give any information willingly to the police besides basics like your name. Instead, demand to speak to your lawyer (even if you do not have one set in stone yet).
If you do this, it will buy you time to get some appropriate legal counsel and you will have a much clearer idea of the path you need to go from there.
Know What You Are Getting Into
Methamphetamine possession in Georgia has a lot of implications in the legal world. If caught with ANY amount of meth without a prescription, you are facing at least two years in jail. That can be up to 15 years.
Even worse, if you are a repeat offender, you face up to 30 YEARS in jail. The charges themselves greatly depend on how much meth you had possessed and if you are a repeat offender.
Be aware of this so you have an idea of what you might be facing from federal drug crimes like this. Georgia is one of the strictest drug states in the country, so you should prepare for the worst but hope for the best.
Know What Possession Means
Possession may sound like a broad term, but when you look at the letter of the law, the definition becomes clear. It is not limited to say, having the meth appear in your pocket.
If the prosecution can prove that you had control of the drugs, you can still be charged with possession, even if it was not found on you at the time of the arrest.
Be prepared for that possibility and take the necessary steps to either have your story straight or prove your innocence. The benefit of this is that if the meth did end up in your pocket by accident, you might have an out for being charged with possession.
However, if the reverse is true, be prepared for a possible possession charge and take the necessary steps as early as possible to go forward with dealing with the charges and the consequences.
Hire a Lawyer
Entering into a legal battle of this level, you will definitely need a lawyer. This can make or break how many years you end up in prison. Better yet, this can decide whether or not you are innocent of the crime.
A drug lawyer has the experience and legal knowledge required to deal with a case such as this. They know what you are facing, they know what the prosecution will do to incriminate you, and they know what to look for to potentially clear your name.
You need someone who has done this a hundred times, rather than someone who might know nothing about a court proceeding for a meth possession charge such as yourself.
A lawyer will also be able to provide you legal counsel and tell you what you need to do next to get out of your situation as clean as possible. They will also be the ones typically negotiating a plea bargain or a sentence on your behalf, so it will be critical to have the right lawyer by your side.
Know Your Defenses
So, if you are pleading not guilty, you are going to need to consult with your lawyer and plan a defense against the charges. Be aware of what can possibly count as a defense and what might ultimately save you from any convictions or jail time.
Some examples can be pleading that you did not know that the drug you had on you was methamphetamine. Another example would be showing that it belonged to somebody else.
Use the knowledge of the law at your disposal to your benefit if you find yourself in a serious situation such as this. You are going to need every advantage and every possible reason for a prosecutor to drop the charge.
Try to provide them with this and be upfront and honest about the situation if this is the case.
Prepare For the Worst
Know that if you are found guilty, you could be going away from your family and friends for quite a while. A charge like possession is a little bit more difficult to get exonerated from since it is usually pretty obvious.
Be prepared for things not to go your way. Be prepared for the mental turmoil that going through these proceedings will put you through.
Finally, if you have family and friends that are invested in you, warn them of the difficult times that might be ahead and the possibility of having to defend your character and name.
Get Representation for Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of methamphetamine, as shown above, could change your life in many more ways than you might expect. Do you want to know the first step you should take?
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and your first step in the right direction.
