Drug charges can have significant consequences, and you should not attempt to deal with them alone. You need a Winston-Salem drug crime lawyer to help you decide on your next steps because making decisions in the spur of the moment could lead to a costly mistake.
To schedule a consultation with a skilled Winston-Salem criminal defense lawyer, contact our team at McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan today. We have over 30 years of experience, and we’re fully prepared to fight for you.
Do You Need a Drug Crime Lawyer in Winston-Salem, NC?
If you face charges for a drug crime in Winston-Salem, you need a lawyer immediately. Law enforcement may continue to build their case, and you must have someone to protect your legal rights.
Your lawyer can keep law enforcement from questioning you against your will and from executing unreasonable searches. Without a lawyer, you may make a mistake that could make your legal situation worse.
Our team can:
- Give you answers to all your legal questions
- Protect your rights
- Stand up for you during legal interviews
- Gather evidence
- Work to successfully resolve your charges
Contact us now to learn more about how our criminal defense attorneys can help with charges for crimes like drug possession and drug trafficking.
Defenses to a Drug Charge
Drug trials often come down to the quality of the evidence and whether the police legally seized the evidence.
We can defend your case by arguing that:
- The police seized the evidence used against you in violation of your legal rights.
- You did not know that you had an illegal substance in your possession.
- The police did not have a valid basis to stop and search you.
- There was a mistake in the chain of custody of the evidence.
- The substance that you had was not actually an illegal drug.
- Law enforcement entrapped you into committing a crime.
Drug crimes do not always have to result in a large sentence. If you choose not to fight the charges, the prosecutor may be willing to make a plea bargain to win a quick conviction. Depending on the charge, you may even enter a drug treatment program as a pre-trial program.
We understand the complexity of building a drug crime defense. We use our experience to develop a personalized strategy that often focuses on reducing your charges, getting your charges dropped, or fighting for you in court. A criminal defense attorney can tell you more.
Drug Diversion Options in Forsyth County
Forsyth County offers a pre-trial diversion program that may help when you face some drug crime charges. Generally, you can enter the diversion program if you face charges for possession of marijuana, for example.
If you complete a diversion program, the court will dismiss your criminal charges.
Generally, completing the program will require you to:
- Pay a fee
- Go through a substance abuse evaluation
- Submit to random screens for alcohol and drugs
- Complete community service work
A criminal defense lawyer can tell you more about this program and address your eligibility to enter if you face drug possession charges.
For a free legal consultation with a drug crime lawyer serving Winston-Salem, call (336) 485-4907 today
State vs. Federal Drug Crimes
Both the state and federal court systems handle drug crime allegations. The federal court can take on charges that cross state lines and meet other criteria. For example, many drug trafficking charges go through the federal system.
The federal system generally hands down harsher penalties than the state system. Our law firm only takes on cases at the state level.
North Carolina Drug Laws
North Carolina law makes it illegal for people to:
- Manufacture, sell, or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a controlled substance
- Create, sell, deliver, or possess with the intent to sell or deliver a counterfeit controlled substance
- Possess a controlled substance
Like other states, North Carolina classifies its controlled substances using schedules. The most serious penalties are associated with Schedule I substances (these include drugs such as heroin and LSD). Schedule VI substances carry the least penalties (including substances such as marijuana and THC).
However, you should not think that there is such a thing as a minor drug conviction. During your initial consultation, our attorneys can review your drug charge and determine the best course of action.
Winston-Salem Drug Crime Lawyer Near Me
(336) 485-4907
Aggravating Factors in Drug Sentences and Charges
Here are some of the aggravating factors that could cause prosecutors to seek a tougher sentence:
- The amount of the substance that the prosecutor claims you had
- Whether you had an intent to deal or the police accused you of actually selling drugs
- Whether you have a prior criminal record
- Whether your charges involve other alleged crimes
Drug convictions can not only carry jail time but can also include the following consequences:
- The loss of government benefits, such as food stamps
- A negative impact on your ability to get a job in the future with a drug conviction on your record
- The loss of custody of your child or visitation rights
- Effects on your immigration status
- Being ordered into a drug rehab program
If you consider pleading guilty to make the matter go away, you should think it through more carefully. There are times when it may make sense to plead guilty (especially when the prosecutor is offering a very favorable plea bargain), but it will not come without a cost.
An experienced drug crimes lawyer in Winston-Salem can review your situation and advise you of your legal options and what course of action may work best for you.
Talk to Us About a Drug Crime Defense in Winston-Salem, NC
You can get professional help after an arrest by hiring a Winston-Salem drug crime attorney from our team at McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan. We can assist with misdemeanor and felony charges, and we’re ready to explain your next steps.
Call or text (336) 485-4907 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation Form to get started
