If you are facing accusations that you committed a crime involving illegal drugs, you need to obtain legal assistance as soon as possible. Erlanger prosecutors are notoriously tough on drug crimes, often making the toughest charges possible. Kentucky has harsh laws with strict punishments for people caught possessing, using, manufacturing, or selling drugs.
An Erlanger drug lawyer fights hard to help you stay out of jail. A dedicated defense attorney could look at the evidence available and help you develop a successful defense strategy that gives you the opportunity to move forward with your life. Furthermore, our attorneys have the connections and resources needed to get treatment for someone who has been caught using illegal drugs.
Common Drug Offenses in Erlanger
Defendants can face many different types of drug charges. The primary ones are for possession, trafficking, and manufacturing.
Drug Possession
Most commonly, people face charges for possession of illegal drugs. The legal consequences for a narcotics possession offense depend on the type of drug and the number of prior drug convictions.
Drug Trafficking
Kentucky courts treat drug trafficking more harshly than drug possession. Law enforcement officers might charge a person with trafficking if they are in possession of a significant amount of drugs, particularly if there are other indications of trafficking, such as an unexplained large amount of cash. The type of narcotic determines the potential penalties. People with prior drug offenses also face higher penalties.
Drug Manufacturing
The police could arrest someone for producing an illegal drug. To be convicted, the prosecution would need to prove that the defendant knowingly manufactured a drug, or intended to manufacture it and possessed certain types of chemicals and equipment used to make the drug.
It is critical to work with a legal team with experience with all types of drug crimes. A knowledgeable team of drug crime lawyers in Erlanger could help a defendant understand the charges and the potential legal consequences.
Defending Against Drug Charges
An attorney could take many different approaches to defend against drug charges. Some strategies focus on procedural errors and constitutional mistakes. A lawyer could see if the arresting officer violated the defendant’s constitutional rights during a search, seizure, or interrogation.
Other approaches look for evidentiary issues. A legal team could investigate and look for holes in the prosecution’s case by casting doubt on the credibility of witnesses and the validity of the other evidence. Some potential defense strategies include the following:
- Misidentification of the substance in question – An attorney could help a defendant prove that the drug in question was not an illegal substance.
- Possession issues – A defendant could argue that they did not have actual or constructive possession of the drug.
- Chain of custody – A defendant could challenge the lack of a clear chain of custody regarding the illegal substance.
- Lack of a search warrant
- Illegal traffic stop
- Illegal surveillance of a defendant
- Lack of probable cause to arrest
The circumstances of each alleged drug offense often dictate the best defensive strategy. A qualified Erlanger drug defense attorney knows how to scrutinize every element of the prosecution’s case, starting with the initial police work during the criminal investigation. They could potentially make a motion for the court to suppress illegally obtained evidence or they could systematically poke holes in the prosecution’s case.
Contact an Erlanger Drug Attorney for Help
If you face narcotics charges, you need an Erlanger drug lawyer who has the right level of experience and skill to help you work towards the best legal outcome. A skilled attorney could help protect your rights throughout every step of the court process.
An experienced lawyer could look for constitutional violations in your arrest and detention; check to see if the police performed an illegal search or seizure of the drug; and work hard to cast doubt on the strength or legality of the prosecution’s case. Contact the legal team today to discuss the specifics of your case.
