You may have gone out on a Friday night after a long week at work. After hitting a bar or two, your friends decide to get high with some meth or marijuana. Unfortunately, on your way home that night, police pull you over and see some extra meth in your passenger seat. Now you’re facing drug possession charges and don’t know what to do.
When facing drug possession charges
First, you should consult with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible when arrested for drug possession. You want an attorney present if police subject you to questioning. Also, an attorney can review the circumstances of your arrest and prepare a strong defense against a conviction.
Kentucky treats drug possession of a Schedule I substance – such meth, cocaine, heroin or LSD – as a serious crime. Law enforcement will charge first-time offenders with a Class D felony, which can result in spending up to three years in prison. With an attorney’s help, you may qualify for a pretrial diversion program, where you can avoid jail time if:
- You are a first-time offender.
- You remain drug and alcohol free during the program.
- You avoid being arrested for another crime during the program.
- You follow all the rules your probation officer.
The long-term consequences of a drug conviction
You want to do all you can to avoid having a felony conviction on your record. It will impact your ability to get a job, live in places where landlords don’t accept felon tenants and vote (until you complete your sentence or parole or probation). If you are taking college classes, you can lose your ability to qualify for financial aid too with a drug conviction.
Facing drug possession charges is something you need to take seriously. By working closely with a criminal defense attorney, you can work to get the most positive outcome possible in a difficult situation.