How Important Is A Drug Defense Lawyer At The Start Of The Case?

Dealing with drug defense case involves several steps. The client should be well informed about proceedings. It is crucial for the client to obtain a legal representative who can act immediately. Once the client is arrested, the drug defense attorney in Philadelphia should seek the copy of the arrest warrant. In some cases, the client does not possess the copy, and the lawyer may have to obtain it at the clerk of court’s office.

The arrest warrant and search warrant are important documents that criminal defense lawyers should see. The arrest warrant indicates the name of the apprehending officer and the charges filed against the client. The legal representative of the client should also find out if a search warrant was issued prior to the arrest to search for and seize the prohibited drugs. The search warrant shall show pertinent information regarding the evidence of possession of illegal drugs. All the information pertinent to the case can be examined by the criminal lawyer and contested in court. In some cases, the lawyer may weaken the impact of the evidence to reduce possible charges against the client or, better, to dismiss all charges. It is however crucial that the attending attorney be present immediately after arrest warrant is served to the client.

Once information regarding the arrest and drug confiscation is sought, the next thing is to meet the arresting officer. Possession of certain quantities of illegal drugs can be a ground for arrest. A police can arrest a person right away for possession of illegal drugs, and discovery of the possession of illegal drugs may be enough to convict the alleged possessor guilty. However, police officers and investigators are inclined to assume that the apprehended individual is part of a larger system of drug dealings. Hence, narcotics police officer may talk to the Philadelphia criminal attorney if the client can act as a witness to testify against other drug dealers. This opportunity may only last within a short time. The refusal of the client leads to his litigation as the accused.

The criminal lawyer can convince the client to act as a cooperating witness depending on circumstances. There are key questions that an attorney has to ask officers. These questions include the time of the arrest, the involvement of an undercover agent, the issuance of a search warrant, the involvement of money, and the statement made by the client. The case usually complicates especially if there are other persons apprehended. The client may make a statement denying ownership of the drugs discovered and seized at the scene. He may point the ownership to his codefendant. Of course, the codefendant’s statement will have to be taken. Such cases can be settled within a short time if statements of the people involved coincide. These cases can take a much longer time if statements of the people involved are conflicting, as that would mean further investigations would have to be conducted.

The drug defense attorney in Philadelphia would also have to ask his client several questions. Such questions tackles the involvement of the client in drug dealings and the willingness of the client to participate in the progress of investigation. Defendants who are willing to cooperate may be called to divulge crucial information that will lead to the resolution of the case.

By: Cedric Loiselle

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