Was Your Teen In A Vehicle Where Drugs Were Found? What To Know
If your teenager who is a minor was a passenger in a vehicle and is being charged with possession charges because there were drugs near them in the vehicle, you want to get a drug defense attorney right away. Drug crimes will go on the teens record and you don't want your teen to be labeled as a drug user when they are trying to get a job in the future. Here are a few of the things to expect when you meet with a lawyer (such as one from Barbour & Simpkins LLP) to discuss the case.
Possible Punishment
The amount of drugs that was found and the type of drugs that were found, along with any paraphernalia will determine what the sentencing will entail. A few possibilities include:
- Time in a juvenile detention center
- Fines
- Probation
- Community service
- Drug rehabilitation or education
- Misdemeanor charges
Although none of these charges may seem life changing, having the misdemeanor on your personal record for years for a drug crime can stop your child from getting into the college where they want to study, or from getting a job in certain fields or places.
Defense to Drop Charges
The criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with drug crimes will know what the best defense options are for your teen's case. If the lawyer feels like the teen was trapped, the search and seizure protocol was wrong, the evidence is substantial enough to prove the drugs were in your teen's possessions, or that there were other flaws in the case, they will fight to have the charges dropped completely.
If the evidence significantly shows that the drugs were your teens, but it's their first offense or criminal charge, they may be able to work out a deal to have the charges dropped or reduced. After your consultation you'll know what the best thing to do is.
It may be hard to get a car full of teens to admit whose drugs were in the car, and the teens may be trying to pin the drugs on the other passengers or the driver to protect themselves. Get your own criminal lawyer to defend your teen and don't wait to talk with the other parents to talk about the situation. Don't have your teen give any statements until they have a legal professional by their side, and until they've been briefed on what to say and how to respond to all questions they may face.
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