If you have been charged with cocaine possession in North Carolina, you may be concerned about what comes next. Cocaine possession is a serious charge, particularly in North Carolina. In fact, being found in possession of any amount of cocaine is a felony. Felonies come with serious consequences, both short-term and long-term. Being found with cocaine can result in three months to two years in jail along with significant fines. Additionally, a felony conviction may have life-altering consequences that affect your housing and employment prospects. However, it is important to understand that just because you have been charged with cocaine possession does not mean that you will be convicted. A lot can happen between when charges are filed and a conviction is made.
Hire a North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney
One of the best ways to effect a positive outcome in your case is to hire an experienced North Carolina criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A criminal defense attorney can assess all factors and circumstances related to your case and determine how best to move forward. An attorney may also be able to reach a plea bargain with the prosecution, which would reduce your charges or the penalties related to your charges. That is right: Just because you were charged with a felony for possession does not mean that is what you will be convicted of. A plea bargain may allow you to plead guilty or no contest to a lesser misdemeanor charge that will have far less of an impact on your life moving forward. It may also allow you to avoid the most serious penalties that you would risk facing if you go to trial.
Defenses to Possession
Even if a plea bargain is not reached or if you decide not to accept it, an attorney can help you mount the best possible defense to the charges during a jury trial. In order to successfully charge you with possession of a controlled substance, the prosecution must be able to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that you were knowingly in possession of the substance. For instance, if you were pulled over while driving a borrowed car without knowledge that there was cocaine in the glove compartment, this is a defense to the charges. Your attorney may also be able to establish that the search leading to the discovery of the cocaine was illegal. If police did not have probable cause to search you and you did not consent to the search, it may be possible to exclude the evidence entirely. This can often lead to a dismissal. An experienced criminal defense attorney will assess all the facts and circumstances to determine the best defenses and mount the strongest argument in your case if you elect to go to trial.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are facing charges for possessing cocaine or another controlled substance in North Carolina, it is important that you do everything you can to fight them. Contact the lawyers at Coastal South Law and find out how our experienced criminal defense attorneys can help you. Call today to schedule a consultation.