After being arrested for a misdemeanor drug crime, some thoughts come to mind, and you are probably asking the question, “Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor drug charge? It’s just a marijuana possession, so a lawyer isn’t necessary.” Because misdemeanors are not seen as serious as a felony offense, many people often foolishly consider a misdemeanor drug charge merely minor, such as marijuana possession. Not a big deal. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
You Need a Defense Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Drug Charge
Believe it or not, there is no such thing as a minor drug charge. If you are charged or, even worse, convicted with a felony or a misdemeanor drug crime, a conviction OF ANY TYPE can result in very serious, long-term, negative consequences. Although you may think twice about hiring a misdemeanor criminal defense attorney due to the extra expense, hiring a lawyer for a misdemeanor charge is nearly always worth the expense. Here are several reasons why you still need to hire a lawyer for a misdemeanor drug charge:
You are Subject to Serious Penalties
According to Indiana law, a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a county jail sentence of one year and a fine. By contrast, a Class C misdemeanor results in a small fine. A misdemeanor drug charge attorney can assess your case, determine all of your legal options, and help you get your entire criminal case dismissed or even get the penalties reduced. Without one to guide you through the complexities of the criminal justice system, you may have to serve the maximum penalties if found guilty.
You Risk Acquiring a Permanent Criminal Record
Along with the penalties associated with receiving a drug conviction, there are several other collateral consequences if you are determined guilty of committing a lower-level drug crime. The result will be a drug conviction on your permanent criminal record. A drug conviction, misdemeanor or felony, can ruin your professional and personal life in several ways, which include:
- Making it difficult to obtain employment
- Making it difficult to apply for college/university
- Limit your housing opportunities,
- Restrict the chances of receiving food stamps or government assistance in a time of need
Unfortunately, even an arrest can stay on your criminal record. Now, an Indiana expungement lawyer can assist you with getting your criminal record expunged, which will allow you not to admit to being convicted of a crime or even being arrested with a drug charge. But avoiding the uncomfortable situation altogether by hiring an attorney for misdemeanor drug crimes could prevent a possible conviction.
Guilty is Not the Only Plea Available
An arrest is not an automatic admission of guilt. You have Constitutional protections that guarantee your innocence unless found guilty by a jury of peers or by a judge in the instance of a bench trial. When you plead guilty without the help of a criminal defense lawyer, you won’t have the opportunity to challenge your criminal charges. A guilty plea means the prosecution and judge have the full discretion of pursuing the maximum penalties allowed under the law. A misdemeanor drug crime attorney will investigate the arrest, collect and assess the evidence against you, and develop a defense strategy to ensure the best possible outcome.
There is a Benefit in Hiring a Private Attorney
Public defenders are great at protecting the rights of the accused on behalf of the court. Unfortunately, and often, the public defender office attorneys have to deal with heavy caseloads. They often lack access to the best resources available to provide the best individualized and comprehensive defense possible. By working with your own misdemeanor drug crime lawyer, you can be assured that your attorney will allocate the necessary time, funding, and legal expertise necessary to put the best defense possible for you.
So Do You Need a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Drug Charge?
The answer to the question of, “Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor drug charge?” The answer is a resounding YES! So, if you need to hire an attorney for a misdemeanor drug charge, give one of our attorneys a call for a free legal consultation about the merits of criminal defense at 877-815-0601 today.