Drug-related offences such as possession, trafficking, and production of controlled or prohibited substances can have harsh short-term and long-term consequences. If you are under police investigations or are facing drug charges, the best course of action is to contact an experienced drug lawyer as soon as possible. Clear legal advice and a proactive defence can greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are some simple tips to ensure that you choose the right drug lawyer.
Need a drug lawyer? How to choose the right lawyer for drug charges
Drug-related offences such as possession, trafficking, and production of controlled or prohibited substances can have harsh short-term and long-term consequences. If you are under police investigations or are facing drug charges, the best course of action is to contact an experienced drug lawyer as soon as possible. Clear legal advice and a proactive defence can greatly improve the outcome of your case. Here are some simple tips to ensure that you choose the right drug lawyer.
Drug charges? Here is how to choose the best lawyer
You want a criminal defence lawyer who will ensure that your rights are protected and who can build the most effective case to reduce or dismiss the consequences of drug charges. Here are our tips for selecting the best drug lawyer to represent you:
Ask for recommendations and do your own research. Good lawyers have a reputation within their profession. Talk to family, friends, and associates, or ask another lawyer for a referral to a lawyer with expertise in handling drug charges. Once you have narrowed the list of candidates, do some more in-depth research. Conduct internet searches and take the time to review law firm websites. Find out about the lawyer’s credentials, accomplishments, and involvement in their area of practice (for example, teaching, volunteering, or board membership).
Look for the right experience. Consider not only the lawyer’s years of experience (which is important), but also the type of experience. Obviously, you want to ensure that you choose a criminal defence lawyer, not a personal injury lawyer or real estate lawyer. But there is more to the picture: you want a criminal defence lawyer who has specialized experience with handling drug charges. Drug laws, drug enforcement, and the approach of the Crown and judges are constantly evolving. It is to your advantage to hire a drug lawyer who keeps up with the changes and who has specialized experience with relevant legal concepts such as warrants, search and seizure, illegal detention, and infringement of rights.
Consider what you want to know and what the lawyer will need to know. Before the initial consultation with a drug lawyer, take the time to consider the questions you want answered and the information you need to know (e.g., legal costs, questions about arrest procedure, criminal court process, what the Crown would need to prove guilt, possible defences, and the range of potential outcomes). Prepare a brief timeline of the facts and circumstances that relate to the investigation or drug charges so you will readily be able to answer the lawyer’s questions. A bit of advanced preparation will help you to get the most out of your initial interaction with the lawyer.
Meet with the lawyer. Ideally, you should meet with the lawyer in person to decide if they are the right fit for you. Consider what the lawyer says, how it is said, and whether you are comfortable interacting with the lawyer. Does the lawyer take the time to answer your questions? Is the lawyer offering you a general sales pitch, or is he or she talking about your legal options and defence strategies? Do you feel confidence in the lawyer’s abilities? You want a drug lawyer who is confident that they will build the strongest case possible, not one who promises you a specific result.
Check out the lawyer’s team. Every lawyer has a team behind them. Consider whether you receive professional, prompt, and courteous service when you call the lawyer’s office. How you are treated in your initial interactions should give you an idea of what it will be like to work with the team who will handle your defence. Associates, administrative staff, paralegals, or law clerks may be involved in your case. Ask who might work on your file, and if you are visiting the lawyer’s office, ask to meet those people.
Take your time, put in a bit of effort, and above all, trust your instincts when choosing the right drug lawyer to represent you. Charged with possession, trafficking, or production of a drug? Engel & Associates Lawyers in Ottawa can help Being under investigation or charged with a drug-related offence must be taken seriously. You need an aggressive criminal defence lawyer who is ready to help you protect your rights, your reputation, and your freedom. The criminal lawyers at Engel & Associates defend against possession, trafficking, and production charges involving all types of controlled or prohibited substances (including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, amphetamines, and illegal prescription drugs like Percocet and OxyContin). Our skilled drug lawyers have the experience and know-how to effectively navigate the constantly changing drug laws and justice system in Canada. Contact the Ottawa criminal defence lawyers at Engel & Associates, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (613) 235-6324.