What To Do If You’ve Been Charged with Drug Possession in CT
Connecticut drug possession charges are serious. A conviction carries severe penalties, including fines, a driver’s license suspension, and jail time. To give yourself the best chance of beating drug possession charges and avoiding some of the harshest penalties, you should work with an experienced drug possession lawyer.
Based in Fairfield, Connecticut, The Lebedevitch Law Firm, LLC, defends people accused of drug possession throughout the state. Attorney Stephen Lebedevitch is a fearless and tenacious advocate who fights to protect his client’s rights. If you are facing Connecticut drug possession charges, contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm today.
What Happens When You Are Arrested for Drug Possession?
Anytime you are being arrested, don’t fight back or lash out. Arguing or fighting with the police will only lead to additional and possibly more severe criminal charges.
When you arrive at the police station, you are usually allowed one phone call before being taken to a jail cell. You should call a drug possession lawyer or a friend or family member.
While you are in jail, remain silent and do not answer any questions the police ask you. Wait for your attorney and follow their advice.
Remain Calm
Being arrested is a scary and stressful event. You are in an unfamiliar situation and face the prospect of hefty fines and possible jail time. After being arrested, most people experience fear and anxiety that cause them to make mistakes. Do your best to remain calm, assert your right to remain silent, and ask to speak to a lawyer.
Assert Your Right to Remain Silent
When the police decide to arrest you, they believe they have enough evidence to convict you of a crime. It is unlikely that anything you say to the police will help your case. Don’t make their job easier by giving them more evidence. Instead, politely explain that you are asserting your right to remain silent and ask to speak to a lawyer. Then don’t say anything until your lawyer arrives.
Hire a Drug Possession Lawyer
Many phone calls from the police station are recorded. Even though conversations with your lawyer are privileged and their content cannot be revealed, phone calls to a friend or relative are not privileged, and anything you say could be used against you. When you contact a drug possession attorney, be careful not to say anything the police could construe as a confession. Let the lawyer ask questions and answer them the best you can. If you call a friend or family member, simply explain that you have been arrested and need to speak to a lawyer as quickly as possible.
Defenses to Charges of Drug Possession
The defenses available to you will depend on the specific facts of your case. Attorney Lebedevitch will thoroughly investigate and carefully analyze your situation to raise all available defenses.
The Drugs Were Not Yours
One of the most effective defenses against drug possession charges is showing that the drugs were not yours. This defense is most effective when the drugs are found in a space you share with a roommate or a vehicle with multiple occupants.
Unknowing Possession
This defense may be available if you were given a package and did not realize it contained drugs.
Not a Drug
If there were irregularities in how the drugs were stored, tested, or analyzed, your lawyer could argue that the substance in your possession was not actually a drug.
Chain of Custody
Similarly, if there were irregularities in how evidence was handled, your lawyer might be able to attack the chain of custody and argue that the drugs presented as evidence are not the same substance that was in your possession when you were placed under arrest.
Illegal Search or Seizure
If the police lacked probable cause to initiate a stop, illegally performed a search, did not read you your Miranda rights, or otherwise violated your constitutional rights, a defense lawyer can argue that evidence was obtained illegally and cannot be used to try to convict you.
Contact Drug Possession Attorney Stephen Lebedevitch
Being charged with drug possession is an intimidating and scary experience. But by remaining calm, saying as little as possible, and contacting a lawyer as soon as possible, you improve the likelihood of a successful result.
To learn more, contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help. Call us at 203-580-6558, email stephen@leb-law.com, or complete the online contact form.