Possession of illegal drugs can be considered a felony. Depending on the type and amount of drugs found in possession, the age of the offender, the intent for use or sale, the location of the crime and other pertinent circumstances, the penalties for drug possession can be vary tremendously. For instance, charges for possession of an illegal drug such as marijuana in small amounts in one’s own home are far less severe than charges for possession of large amounts of heroin or cocaine found on school property. Because of how severe the charges are for drug possession and how those charges will reflect on your criminal record, it is crucial to your case that you understand your rights and know how to defend yourself against those charges.
Types of Illegal Drugs
Here are some examples of the common illegal drugs found in possession:
- Marijuana: the most widespread drug used in the United States.
- Cocaine: often referred to simply as “crack” and used often by drug addicts.
- Crystal Methamphetamine: often referred to as meth or crystal meth, very addictive and inexpensive to make.
- Heroin: derived from opium, very addictive.
Pleading Not Guilty
One of the ways to defend against charges of drug possession is to plead not guilty. If you are innocent of the felony and did not have drugs in your possession, then you should not be faced with a criminal sentence for something you did not possess. In America, our legal system is structured around the premise that individuals are innocent until proven guilty, so it is possible to not say a word or present any evidence and still win your case. It can also be a good idea to consider any possible alibis you may have for your case. For example, if illegal drugs were found in your shared apartment when you were not at home, your alibi could be simply that you were not there and that you were unaware that your roommate was in the possession of drugs. Any witnesses that can testify of your innocence can help in pleading innocence.
Pleading Guilty without Intent to Harm
If you are indeed guilty of the possession of illegal drugs, it can lessen your sentence if you can prove that you did not intend to distribute the drugs. You will still be charged with possession, but the penalties will likely be less than if you were, for example, planning to sell the illegal drugs to children.
Getting Legal Help
If you are being charged with possession of illegal drug and are facing criminal charges for the felony, then it is very important that you contact an attorney who can help defend your case. The attorney will be able to offer legal counsel on how to proceed and possibly lessen the penalty associated with the charges or get them completely removed.
