Drug offenses are taken very seriously in the United States. Possession of a small amount of a relatively harmless substance may not be a big deal, but if you’re accused of a more serious drug crime, you could face decades in prison.
What should you do if you’re ever accused of a drug crime?
Remain Calm
After being accused of a drug crime, you’ll likely feel a mix of emotions. You might feel panicked, scared, angry, or even slightly detached. However, it’s important to get control of your emotions and remain calm. If you want to emerge from this situation unscathed, or at least in the best possible position, it’s important for you to make consistently rational, sound decisions. You can only do that if you can achieve a calm state of mind and a clear, objective interpretation of your surroundings. Too many people end up in jail simply because they failed to act rationally.
Say Nothing
Next, say nothing. You have the right to remain silent and it’s essential for you to exercise it. Aside from perhaps giving your name or displaying a photo ID, you aren’t obligated to tell police officers or investigators anything about yourself or any crimes you may have committed. Anything you say can and will be used against you, so the best course of action is to keep absolutely silent.
According to the attorneys at SBBL Law, “Occasionally, we’ll get a client who makes an early mistake by thinking they can clear things up by talking with the police, but then accidentally revealing a piece of incriminating evidence to a police officer interrogating them. Once that happens, all we can do is control the damage, so it’s extremely important to decline to answer any police questions from the very beginning. You are never required to answer police questions, and you have every right to refuse and speak with a lawyer.”
Depending on the circumstances, law enforcement officials may continue asking you questions, probing different aspects of your life and pretending to be your friends. However, it’s important to realize that these people aren’t your friends and nothing you can say at this time is going to help you.
Hire a Lawyer ASAP (and Follow Their Instructions)
Once the accusation has been made, make it a priority to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer is going to help you in several ways, ensuring that you’re treated fairly, advising you on how to answer police questions, helping you gather evidence, and potentially eventually representing you in court. You should hire the best criminal defense attorney you can afford, but if you can’t afford one at all, one will be provided to you.
Your lawyer has spent many years learning and practicing criminal law, so it’s important to take what they have to say seriously. Follow their instructions and thoughtfully listen to their advice.
Comply With Police Officers
Also, you should generally comply with police officers. If they instruct you to sit down, sit down. If they place you under arrest, don’t resist. Don’t curse at them or speak rudely to them. Not only will this make the process smoother, but it could also help you avoid additional charges.
Don’t Tamper With (or Destroy) Evidence
Tampering with and destroying evidence are serious crimes. If you know you’ve been caught with drugs or if police officers suspect you have drugs, you may be tempted to dump them or get rid of any evidence that could suggest you had drugs. However, if you’re caught doing this, it could add to your list of charges and ultimately make your life more complicated. In most situations, it’s better not to tamper with or destroy evidence.
You can also use this time to gather any evidence in your favor, such as seeking out witnesses who can prove your whereabouts.
Keep Quiet on Social Media
Staying silent isn’t just important in police interrogation rooms. It’s also important on social media. Anything you say on social media is public knowledge, and could be used as evidence against you in the future. Accordingly, it’s best to avoid saying anything at all on social media.
Similarly, be careful who you talk to in person about this case; you don’t want anyone to reveal incriminating details about you if you can help it.
Don’t Consent to Testing (Without a Lawyer)
There are very specific rules in place for how police officers can conduct DNA testing, drug testing, and other types of testing. Generally, these tests can only be conducted if police officers have a warrant or if the suspect voluntarily complies with testing. If there is no warrant in place, don’t volunteer to undergo these types of testing (unless your lawyer advises you otherwise).
Being accused of a drug crime is intimidating, especially considering the consequences if you’re found guilty. But if you remain silent from the start, hire a good lawyer, and remain patient through the process, you can maximize your chances of being acquitted or getting a lighter sentence.
