Skilled, Tenacious Defense Against Drug Crime Charges
America has a strange relationship with drugs. No amount of criminalization or punishment seems to significantly reduce drug use, but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from continuing to push this approach. States like Alabama have among the toughest drug laws in the nation, and certain repeat offenders can be put away for life.
If you are facing any type of drug charge, you need the help of a skilled and knowledgeable attorney. In Madison County and surrounding areas, you can find such an attorney at The Atkins Firm, P.C. Erin Atkins has been aggressively advocating for clients for more than a decade. She can help you, too.
What Have You Been Accused Of?
Whether the charge relates to a “street drug” (like meth or heroin) or a prescription drug (like Oxycontin or Xanax), you face serious consequences if convicted. Ms. Atkins is ready to defend you against any drug-related charge, including:
- Possession
- Possession with intent to sell/distribute
- Delivery of a controlled substance
- Drug manufacturing
- Drug trafficking
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Alabama drug laws are constantly changing, sometimes for the better (like with certain marijuana offenses) but often for the worse. You need to work with an attorney like Ms. Atkins, who stays current on changing drug statutes and on case law (Alabama court decisions made in recent cases).
The Details Are Critical In Drug Crimes Cases
At first glance, most drug offenses seem straightforward. If you were caught with an illegal substance and prosecutors can prove that it was yours, the case appears to be open and shut. But drug cases are often more complex than that. Below are some of the details a skilled attorney will pay attention to.
How the evidence was obtained: The Fourth Amendment protects us against unreasonable search and seizure. This means that police usually need a search warrant or probable cause to conduct a search. If you were searched illegally and in violation of your rights, Ms. Atkins may be able to petition the court to suppress the evidence, meaning it could not be used to convict you.
Drug quantities: The charges and the potential sentence in a possession case will depend on the type of drug and the quantity seized. With high enough quantities, authorities will assume that you intended to sell or distribute (even if the drugs were intended solely for personal use). A good attorney will set to work immediately seeking dismissal of certain charges and contesting others.
Aggravating factors: Prosecutors try to bring as many charges and enhancements as possible. Your potential sentence if convicted could be increased due to aggravating factors such as possession of a firearm or committing the offense near a school. These enhancements and additional charges don’t always withstand scrutiny, but they need to be challenged by your attorney.
Previous criminal record: As mentioned on the criminal defense page, Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act imposes increasingly severe sentences on repeat offenders. Because drug crimes are often tied to addiction, repeat offenses are common. If you have enough prior felony convictions and one of them is a Class A felony, you could be facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.
When you hire The Atkins Firm, P.C., Ms. Atkins will carefully examine all these details and more to protect your rights and maximize your defense options.
Contact The Firm Today
The Atkins Firm, P.C., is based in Huntsville and serves clients throughout the surrounding areas. To schedule your initial consultation, email Ms. Atkins or call 256-858-7768 today.