Drug Crimes

Defense against drug possession, trafficking, and manufacturing charges.

Counsel

12+

Avg. experience

14 yrs

Free consultations

68%

Sub-practices

§ Editorial

What to look for in a drug crimes attorney.

— The Counsel editors

Defense against drug possession, trafficking, and manufacturing charges.

Finding the right drug crimes attorney requires careful consideration of experience, communication style, and fee structure. The attorneys listed here represent a broad cross-section of practitioners serving clients in this area of law.

“The single most powerful tool in a drug defense case is the Fourth Amendment. If law enforcement conducted an unlawful stop, search, or seizure, the evidence obtained may be suppressed — and without evidence, the prosecution's case often collapses. Ask every prospective attorney whether a suppression motion is viable before you discuss anything else.”
— The Counsel editors

§ What to look for

01Experience with both state and federal drug statutes — penalties differ dramatically
02Track record challenging unlawful searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment
03Familiarity with drug court programs and diversion alternatives to incarceration
04Understanding of mandatory minimum sentencing and how to argue against them
05Connections to expert witnesses — toxicologists, lab analysts — who can contest evidence
06Experience negotiating cooperation agreements in multi-defendant cases

§ Questions to ask at your consultation

›Was the search that produced the evidence lawful? Can we file a motion to suppress?
›Am I eligible for drug court, diversion, or a deferred prosecution program?
›Is this a state or federal charge, and how does that affect sentencing exposure?
›What mandatory minimums apply to my charge, and are there ways around them?
›Are there co-defendants? How does that affect my situation?
›What does a plea deal look like versus taking this to trial?