How to Choose the Right Felony Drug Crime Defense Attorney

If police arrested you on suspicion of a felony drug crime, your first step should be to consult with an experienced St. Paul criminal defense lawyer who understands how to defend against these charges. Whether you are accused of drug possession, possession with intent to deliver, drug trafficking, or any other drug-related offense, having the right defense attorney can mean the difference between having charges dropped or spending years in prison. However, you want to make sure you choose the right defense firm that can help you obtain the most favorable results possible in your specific case.

Do Online Research

There is plenty of information available online regarding criminal defense lawyers in St. Paul. However, a Google search for “St. Paul drug crime lawyer” will return thousands of results. So, how do you know which law firm to select? First, there is a lot of information online about an attorney. You can do the following:

• Look at online reviews from past clients
• Look at their Avvo ratings
• Check to make sure they have an active law license in good standing
• Check to see whether they have had complaints or disciplinary action against them

If there are any red flags, check out another criminal defense firm.

Look at Their Experience

Not all criminal defense law firms regularly handle serious felony drug cases. Some criminal defense lawyers focus their practice on DWI charges or traffic violations, which don’t generally come with the possibility of years in prison or fines of $10,000 or more. Defending against serious felonies can be significantly more complicated than misdemeanor cases, and there is a lot more on the line. You want to make sure that your defense lawyer has experience handling a number of cases in felony criminal court.

In addition, drug cases have unique questions and defenses that can apply. These can include:

• 4th Amendment violations by law enforcement officers
• Entrapment due to sting operations
• Forensic lab errors
• Challenging constructive possession
• Challenging circumstantial evidence of intent to distribute
• Challenging allegations of conspiracy

All of these defenses can be highly effective in drug-related cases when appropriate, though they can also be difficult to raise in a successful manner. You want an attorney who can identify all possible defenses and present them to the court or jury in a manner that can result in a dismissal or acquittal whenever possible.

Ask for Recommendations

Do you have a friend or family member who faced criminal charges? Ask them who they used and if they were satisfied with their attorney. Recommendations should never be a replacement for online research or interviews with an attorney, though they can be a good place to start.

Interview Your Candidates

Once you have a short list of attorneys who you are considering, schedule a free consultation with them. Whether you have a phone conversation or meet with them in person, always be prepared with a list of questions. Some questions you may want to ask include:

• How many drug-related cases have you handled?
• What were the results of those cases?
• Do you often go to trial or do your cases mostly end in plea agreements?
• Will you handle the case personally or hand it off to another associate or paralegal?
• How often can I expect case updates?
• Have you practiced in felony criminal court for a long time?
• What do you think about my particular case?
• What elements are against me or in my favor?
• What should I expect from the overall criminal process?
• What are the possible consequences of a guilty plea or conviction at trial?

You also want to take this opportunity to discuss legal fees. Can they tell you how much your case will cost up front? Do they charge by the hour or a flat fee for your type of case? When will you be billed and how will you have to pay? Legal fees are an important issue to address, as you may face other court costs, fines, and fees throughout the criminal process, so you need to make sure every penny is going toward representation you can trust.

Beware of a lawyer who is too inexpensive, however. Some “budget” lawyers simply push clients into plea deals to get the case over with as soon as possible, without thoroughly investigating the facts or possible defense. Lawyers should be focused on the quality of representation, not the sheer quantity of cases. That being said, the highest-priced attorney is not necessarily the best, as these tend to be larger firms with an impersonal approach.

Contact a St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyer to Discuss Your Case

You should always select a drug crime defense lawyer who you feel you can trust with your future. At Capitol City Law Group, we will discuss your case for free and help you decide whether we are the right firm for you. Call 651-212-4073 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.