To have the best chance of winning a drug possession case, you may need an experienced attorney’s help. Choosing the best drug possession attorney usually means selecting a lawyer with significant experience and an impressive reputation. Peer and lawyer review websites may help you make a list of choices. Once you've complied a list, free consultations with the attorneys may help you narrow it to a single choice.
If you have been charged with drug possession or believe you will be charged in the future, you will typically need the best criminal lawyer you can afford. You may be tempted to hire a general practice attorney if you have worked with one in the past. This is unlikely to be a good idea, however. Drug possession charges could result in a permanent mark on your record or even a prison sentence. When you’re dealing with something this serious, you will likely need the help of a criminal lawyer.
To choose the best drug possession attorney, you will typically need to consider experience. You may place yourself in the best hands by choosing an attorney who has been handling drug possession cases for at least a decade, for example, rather than a lawyer who has just a year or two of experience. It is important to note, however, that an attorney may have several years of background with criminal cases but only a little experience dealing with drug possession cases. You may boost your chances of securing an acquittal if you choose an attorney who has several years of experience working specifically with drug possession cases.
Reputation may factor into your decision-making process as well. You may feel most confident about winning your case if you choose a drug possession attorney who has a reputation for behaving ethically and securing satisfactory outcomes for his clients. Often, peer review websites provide information about a lawyer’s reputation, but you may also learn details about a lawyer’s reputation by searching websites that post reviews provided by a lawyer’s former clients. Additionally, if you have friends or family members who have faced similar charges, you may ask them for lawyer referrals.
While you may consider choosing a drug possession attorney based on credentials, you may have a better chance of making a good choice if you meet with a few attorneys first. For example, you may request consultations with the lawyers who are at the top of your list and compare them based on their personalities, confidence in their ability to help you avoid conviction, and availability. Even something as small as how well organized an attorney’s office is may help you make the right choice.