Possession
The Cochran Firm's criminal lawyers have seen the widespread effects of America's War on Drugs up-close. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are in jail as a result of simple drug possession charges. While punishments from a possession charge can range in severity, sentences can be quite significant and include meaningful jail time.
Drug-related crimes, including possession, have to be taken seriously, and they have been handled by skilled, experienced criminal lawyers. At The Cochran Firm, we will give your possession charge the attention it deserves. And we will not allow you to be intimidated.
A possession charge can have a significant, negative effect on your life. We can't promise a specific result. But we can promise skilled, passionate legal representation.
If you've been accused of drug possession and need an experienced criminal lawyer on your side, please call The Cochran Firm today at 1-800-843-3476.
The Consequences of a Possession Charge
A drug possession charge is quite simple to define: the knowing exercise of control and ownership over a controlled substance in sufficient quantities to trigger a relevant local, state or federal law (some drugs in some jurisdictions can be legally possessed in small amounts). Our criminal lawyers will be familiar with the laws in your state and community.
Detailing the consequences of a possession charge is a little more complicated, however. This is because prosecutors have a great deal of discretion in how they handle simple possession charges. Some state attorneys are relatively lenient when it comes to dealing with possession charges, while others are quite strict.
As such, sentences for drug possession charges can include:
- Fines
- Probation
- Loss of a driver's license
- Imprisonment
Most communities have sentencing guidelines that increase in severity for repeat crimes. As such, those who have been arrested for possession multiple times often face harsh prison sentences, while first-time offenders will often not face jail time.
Again, the specific circumstances of your case will play a role in the sentence you are facing. Sentences are harsher when police believe they can prove an intent to distribute or transport drugs instead of just simple possession.
However, the consequences of a drug possession charge do not end with the criminal sentence. A drug conviction can mar your record and show up on any background check instigated after a job application. And federal law prohibits students with drug convictions from receiving federal student aid.
This is why it's so important to find a criminal lawyer who can contest the charges against you with skill. The Cochran Firm's defense attorneys will represent you in court and in plea negotiations with prosecutors. Most defendants charged with possession do not have the advantage of experienced representation, and prosecutors can take advantage of that.
Drug possession charges often stem from false-positive field tests or constitutionally questionable searches of your person and property. Our criminal lawyers will cast a skeptical eye on these searches and fight for your rights if they were violated by the police.
If you want to speak to an experienced criminal lawyer about the charges against you, please contact The Cochran Firm today.