A Criminal Defense Attorney in Hattiesburg MS knows that a large majority of arrests for drug offenses involve possession, possession with intent to sell or low-level drug dealing. Low-level dealing, also known as street dealing, makes up most of the illegal drug selling activity, but incarcerating these individuals does not have much of an impact on the underlying problem. Defense lawyers provide skilled legal representation for people at risk of prison time for nonviolent drug offenses that do not have a far-reaching effect on society.
People who sell small amounts of illegal substances on the street or elsewhere often is trying to earn enough money to buy drugs to use. A Criminal Defense Attorney in Hattiesburg MS understands that these individuals need assistance with their chemical dependency problem instead of a long term of incarceration. The lawyer may be able to have the person enrolled in a Mississippi drug court in lieu of a prison sentence. This type of treatment involves supervision, regular drug testing and teaching people who are addicted to drugs effective strategies for recovery. The programs have proved to be very successful in keeping former offenders out of the court system in the future.
A Criminal Defense Attorney in Hattiesburg MS uses other strategies to help clients retain their freedom. There may have been an illegal search and seizure in the person’s home or vehicle, for example. There may have been a technical error, such as law enforcement officers not reading the person the Miranda rights before detainment and questioning. That is required by law.
Possession of some drugs is considered a more serious offense than possession of others. Having a small amount of marijuana in a pocket, home or vehicle is not viewed as serious as possessing cocaine or heroin. The amount of the drug in the person’s possession also is a significant factor in which charges are filed. Large amounts indicate an intent to distribute the substances since it’s improbable or even impossible that one person will use all of it. Criminal Attorneys at T. Michael Reed are ready to assist people who have been charged with drug-related offenses.
