Criminal Law and Drug Charges

 In Criminal Law

Facing felony drug charges is not only scary it is life-changing. Being caught with drugs in the state of Tennessee is a situation to be taken seriously. Many specifics will determine the outcome of your case such as:

  • The type of drug. If it is a schedule 1 such as heroin, you are facing a class B felony which is a serious crime.
  • The amount of drugs you are caught with.
  • How the drug is packaged. Drugs packaged for resale, scales, and large amounts of cash, add additional charges. This type of situation infers intent to distribute.
  • Your record and past convictions.

There are different consequences and fines according to the specifics of your case. However, the most important part of hiring an attorney is protecting your constitutional rights and civil liberties. Your case as a whole must be examined by a professional to determine if you were legally charged. The circumstances in which police discovered drugs on you or in your car are very important. Determining the legalities of the arrest is something only an experienced criminal attorney should be appointed to handle.

First and foremost, always remember to invoke your right to an attorney in any legal situation. Never give a verbal or written statement without an attorney present. Trust that the police can and will use every single word against you in a court of law.

It is common for people to become overwhelmed when being arrested and police will appear accommodating. They will act as if they are there to assist you. This is not the case. It is their job to gather evidence against you. The evidence used in court is nine times out of ten obtained directly from the person being arrested or charged.

Do not wait until you are in a situation as stated above to find a good lawyer. It is always a good idea to have an attorney’s number on hand just in case you ever find yourself in a sticky situation. And, of course, contact the Slaughter Law Firm immediately if you are arrested or are facing any drug charges.