If you've been arrested or charged with a crime, you need the immediate assistance of a drug defense lawyer. A good drug defense lawyer can explain your rights in all stages of the criminal process and help make the difference between a reduced plea bargain or dismissal and a jail sentence.

Why You Need a Drug Defense Lawyer

Being charged with a crime -- whether major or minor -- is a serious matter. A person facing drug charges risks severe penalties and consequences, such as jail time, having a criminal record, and loss of relationships and future job prospects, among other things. While some legal matters can be handled alone, a drug arrest of any nature warrants the legal advice of a qualified drug defense attorney who can protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome for your case.

If you're facing criminal prosecution, a drug defense attorney can help you understand (1) the nature of the charges filed; (2) any available defenses; (3) what plea bargains are likely to be offered; and (4) what is expected after trial or conviction.

What to Look for in a Drug Defense Lawyer

Drug defense attorneys handle a variety of drug cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, white collar crimes, and many other state and federal crimes. When looking for a drug defense lawyer, you'll want to find the best one for your case. As such, you should concentrate on the lawyer's expertise, skill level, and knowledge.

A good drug defense lawyer may help (1) reduce your drug charge to a lesser offense (for example, reduce a felony to a misdemeanor); (2) lessen the severity of the punishment for the crime; and (3) reduce or eliminate jail time (via probation, for example); and (4) help you develop a sound defense strategy.

Also, because of the nature of what's at stake, it's important that the attorney you hire has the necessary skill level needed to defend the case, and is the one who actually conducts most of the work. For instance, you may need someone familiar with crime scene investigations, witness/victim/police interviewing, and/or extensive knowledge of polygraphs, sketches, photographs, and video.

Finally, because drug laws and penalties vary by state, it's important that the attorney have experience with the state and local rules of court.