Like many Americans, you may find yourself in trouble with the law at some time and facing court charges that can impact the course of your life. To prevent jail time, negotiate a plea deal, or even get the charges dismissed altogether, you need the help of a criminal defense lawyer.
Though you are entitled to a lawyer free of charge through the court system, these public defenders are often overworked and unable to devote the amount of time needed to your case. Hiring the Best lawyer for drug charges is a smart move that can benefit you in the long run, and well worth the temporary expense. Having a drug offense on your record can follow you for the rest of your life, making it difficult to get employment, find a place to live, or move your life forward. Hiring an experienced attorney to defend you can spare you all this trouble by keeping the charge from landing on your permanent record.
Why Hire the Best Lawyer for drug charges?
Having the best possible lawyer to represent you is always the best way to proceed when you face charges, but there can be circumstances where it is critical to your future to hire an experienced drug offense lawyer, including:
If you have a prior record of criminal offenses, particularly drug related offenses. If the judge sees you as a repeat offender, they are more likely to sentence you to a severe punishment.
If your rights were violated during the search and seizure process. With a knowledge of the law and exactly what processes are legal, your attorney can make sure to highlight any violations that can ultimately make the judge throw the charges out.
If you have information to present in order to get a plea deal, going in with an experienced attorney ensures the prosecution takes you seriously and offers you an appropriate plea deal in exchange for it.
In these cases, having a lawyer to deal with the case helps ensure you get the best possible outcome. An experienced courtroom attorney can have charges reduced or thrown out of court, and stop the charges from going on your criminal record.
How Much Does a Drug offense attorney in Idaho Falls Cost?
It can be difficult to predict the cost of hiring a good lawyer to defend you against a drug charge. Some of the unique factors that can add to the cost might include:
The extenuating circumstances of your case: Every case is different and how long it will take to present a defense for you can vary greatly based on your story. If you have witnesses who need to be deposed, evidence that requires testing, and other extenuating factors, it can take longer to prepare the defense before you even appear in court. This results in a larger bill for the time lawyers and paralegals spend on the case, but also gives you a higher chance of success at trial.
Severity of charges: Felony charges are more complex and typically require more work from the legal team than misdemeanors. The penalties associated with a felony can be much harsher and follow you through life, so it's well worth having your attorney work to have the charges downgraded if possible.
Need for expert testimony: If your case requires expert testimony from doctors, scientists, or other experts, your lawyer will have to seek out the right ones and make sure they are available to appear in court when you need them. This testimony can cost you extra as these experts may charge a fee or want to have their expenses covered.
Prior Charges: If this is your first offense, it's likely to be easier to defend than if you have previous charges for similar offenses. If you have a long criminal record, your defense attorney may need to spend time investigating those charges and growing familiar with the circumstances in case they come up in court.
If you are looking for the best lawyer for drug charges, Smith Wolf Anderson Wikinson can help. Contact us today to get an expert opinion on the best defense to the charges you face.