Never Underestimate The Seriousness Of Louisiana Drug Charges
Drug crimes are among the most common criminal offenses in the United States. Even as many states have begun to relax drug laws and offer compassionate alternatives to traditional incarceration, Louisiana’s approach remains unchanged and unforgiving. Suffice it to say, even a minor drug charge is a big deal in Louisiana.
If you’re facing drug charges, you should know the consequences of a conviction can be far greater than whatever sentence is imposed. A criminal record can follow you for life, making it hard to find a job, get approved for a loan or housing, or get into college. To protect your freedom and your future, contact Alan J. Golden Attorney at Law today. Mr. Golden has more than 35 years of criminal law experience on both sides of the courtroom, and he works tirelessly to help each client obtain a favorable outcome in their case.
What Were You Charged With?
With decades of criminal law experience, Alan J. Golden is ready to defend you against any drug-related charges, including:
- Drug possession (marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, etc.)
- Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (Opioids, Xanax, Adderall, etc.)
- Possession with intent to distribute
- Drug sales and trafficking
- Drug manufacturing
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Prosecutors will likely try to maximize the charges you face based on the quantity and type of drugs recovered. For instance, simple possession for personal use may be upgraded to possession with intent to distribute if the police recover a high enough quantity of that drug. For this and other reasons, it is important to contact a skilled attorney like Mr. Golden as soon as possible – even before charges have been filed.
A Plea Deal May Not Be In Your Best Interests
Prosecutors want to resolve cases through plea deals whenever possible because they save time, money and work. This is especially true with drug charges, which are very common. A plea deal is in the state’s best interests, but that’s no reason to accept one. Simply put, you should never make a decision this important without consulting an attorney.
Mr. Golden will examine the evidence against you and assess the strength of the prosecution’s case. He will then take the time to discuss your full list of legal options with you, including the likely outcome of each option that you might choose. Even if a plea deal is appropriate, he may be able to help you negotiate a more favorable deal based on identified weaknesses in the case.
Was The Evidence Against You Obtained Illegally?
In most drug cases, physical evidence (in the form of seized drugs) is the primary or only evidence needed to secure a conviction. For this reason, it is critical to examine how that evidence was obtained. Many drug cases involve evidence that was obtained in violation of the suspect’s Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure.
If police officers did not secure a search warrant or otherwise failed to establish probable cause to execute the search, Mr. Golden can petition the court to suppress any evidence obtained in the illegal search. If the motion is granted, that evidence can no longer be used to convict you.
Get The Experienced Legal Help You Need – Schedule A Consultation Today
Alan J. Golden Attorney at Law serves clients throughout Caddo, Bossier and Desoto parishes. To discuss your charges and legal options during an initial consultation, contact the office in Shreveport by calling 318-300-1633. You can also reach out online.