Drug Lawyer San Francisco, CA
A Drug Lawyer, San Francisco, CA residents trust from The Hallinan Law Firm understands how scary it can be to face a drug-related conviction. Your heart may be racing if you discover that you have been charged with drug possession or other drug-related charge. When you need someone to help you navigate the court system, you should go to a drug lawyer who has a considerable amount of experience in handling criminal defense cases. Meeting with a criminal lawyer should be one of the first things you do if you have been charged with a crime, regardless of the type of charge. A defense lawyer is someone who serves as your protector, guide, and confidant. Defense lawyers are provided for those who cannot afford one, however, these lawyers are often so overwhelmed with more cases than they can properly handle. This means the lawyer appointed to you may not be able to give your case the focus it requires. When you have your own drug lawyer, however, the lawyer will put their complete focus on your case alone, without being overwhelmed by other cases they are obligated to handle.
If you aren’t sure whether hiring a lawyer is within your means, we are happy to offer a free initial consultation, so you can learn more. During an initial consultation, you can explain your situation to a lawyer about the charge brought against you. They will be able to evaluate your case, propose defense strategies, and suggest urgent next steps you can immediately take. If you feel like you don’t have much of a case at all, it is still a good idea to meet with a skilled lawyer. It is likely that they have worked with clients who have been in your situation or have dealt with similar circumstances. There is no risk in seeing what your legal options are. It is better to be safe than risk moving forward without a proper defense. If you or a loved one was recently arrested for a drug-related offense, we encourage you to call The Hallinan Law Firm for immediate guidance as to how to protect your best interests.
How Do I Know If I Need A Criminal Lawyer?
Felonies and misdemeanors can wind up with long prison sentences which can affect you for years, therefore you’ll want to consult a criminal defense lawyer if you are charged with any of the following:
Misdemeanors:
Petty theft.
Prostitution.
Public intoxication.
Simple assault.
Disorderly conduct.
Trespass
Vandalism
Reckless driving.
Possession of marijuana.
First-time possession of certain other drugs.
While misdemeanors are usually less than felonies, the time can still seem just as long, especially if you have a family that you’re caring for. Many people think that because misdemeanors are less severe than felonies, they are able to easily handle a misdemeanor charge or that the consequences aren’t that serious. This is far from reality. People convicted of a misdemeanor often have to serve probation for a considerable amount of time. In addition, they may have to complete hours of community service or attend counseling classes. The consequences of a misdemeanor can still be as impactful as a felony. It can disrupt how you are able to see or care for loved ones. Reach out to a Drug Lawyer, San Francisco, CA to get help with your case.
Felonies:
Murder
Rape
Kidnapping
Treason
Aggravated assault and/or battery.
Arson
Robbery/burglary.
Various forms of fraud.
Distributing drugs or intent to distribute.
Possession of drugs.
Grand larceny and grand theft.
Felonies can be lengthy when it comes to doing time, but a good drug lawyer in San Francisco, CA can help you get less time than you were originally supposed to. A drug lawyer will review every element of your charge and see if there are any faults that they can expose. After gathering information and collecting the evidence they need, they can present an argument and aim to have your charge reduced or dropped completely. It is important that you obtain a competent drug lawyer who understands how to approach each case and uncover effective strategies to assist you as good as possible.
What To Expect While Working With a Criminal Lawyer
Well, prior to meeting your lawyer, consider the qualities you’re after in a lawyer that’s going to defend you in court. Ideally, you want to work with a criminal lawyer who has had much experience helping clients with drug-related cases and has exceptional negotiation skills to advocate on your behalf. You should only work with lawyers who can inform you about your rights and explain how to best go through the court system. A dependable lawyer is someone who communicates well and can answer any questions that you have about the law or your case in detail. You want somebody with:
Experiencing handling drug cases with similar charges to yours.
Strategies for handling your case to get you the best results.
Good advice as well as sound judgement.
A reasonable legal fee.
When considering your first meeting with your lawyer, you should arrive prepared. Bring a notebook with a list of questions and relevant case details to provide to the lawyer. You also want to jot down important information the lawyer may have for you. If you have any items of value that a lawyer may find useful for building your case, you are encouraged to bring it to the consultation. This will make things go more smoothly, so show up with these documents:
You will need to bring any paperwork that’s from court, which details your charges and your next court appearance.
Your bail papers.
The police report, if you have it.
Any other paperwork that the police gave to you.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re facing state charges or federal ones, some lawyers may ask for a questionnaire prior to the first meeting. The lawyer may find it helpful, as well, if you give them a list of everyone that’s connected to the case.
In this list you should include:
Witnesses
Victims
Other defendants.
They need to have as much information as they can possibly have, and they also may need to verify that they’ve never represented someone on that list because it could be a conflict of interest.
Tips To Find The Best Lawyer For You
21 million Americans are estimated to have a drug addiction of some kind. It’s theorized that police make more cannabis offense arrests than any other drug, as well. Finding a lawyer that specializes in your type of offense can be hard, but here are some easy tips:
Check the lawyer’s portfolio. See who and what they’ve dealt with previously.
Ensure your lawyer will communicate with you in a way that is effective.
You want a lawyer with experience, not someone who’s newly appointed with a law degree. However, you want to make sure that experience matches your needs.
Accessibility. This is a huge point, ensure your lawyer is accessible to you. Make sure that they have the time to dedicate to your case.
Referrals are sometimes important, sometimes you can be referred to a good drug lawyer, and you shouldn’t diss people who have advice on who’s a good lawyer to hire.
What Criminal Defense Lawyers Do
Lawyers who practice criminal defense have a very important job to do. They are to research the details of the arrest, scrutinize evidence, attempt negotiations for deals in your favor, and more. These deals may entail a less severe charge, lowered sentencing, or reduced bail. Due to public pressure and crowded jails, making deals with the prosecution has become a vital element of a drug offender’s case. It is imperative that you have a lawyer who understands the complexity and nuances associated with these types of offenses. Other tasks that a San Francisco, CA drug lawyer can handle include, but are not limited to:
Question witnesses to collect statements.
Formulate a plea.
Review the prosecutor’s case.
Assess potential repercussions.
Review the officer’s search and seizure procedure.
Gather evidence.
We are used to providing legal services where we are both hopeful but honest when handling your case. We will be straight-forward about the risks and potential consequences for your offense, but can work relentlessly on your behalf to help avoid the most severe punishments. Trust us when we say that having a qualified lawyer on your side can prove fruitful to your case.
Why Representing Yourself is a Bad Idea
Some criminal defendants prefer to represent themselves. This choice of whether the defendant is approved to do so will be at the hands of the court judge. A defendant that cannot provide a defense that is competent and within the law may only become a detriment to their own case. Even if the defendant is adamant about not having a lawyer, they may in the end be required to do so. However, there are instances where the judge lets the defendant represent on their own. But, we often strongly discourage doing so, as the average person just doesn’t have the knowledge and experience about law that a criminal lawyer does. It may be cheaper to not hire a lawyer, but it’s not worth what it could cost you in the end.
If you were recently arrested for a crime related to illegal drugs, please call a drug lawyer in San Francisco, California at The Hallinan Law Firm right away to learn about your rights.