New York drug charges can have extremely serious consequences for your life. Some of the punishments for drug offenses include prison time, fines, court-ordered rehab, the loss of professional licenses, and more.
If you have been charged with a New York drug crime, such as possession of cocaine or methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine or cocaine, or sales of narcotics, you need to hire a very skilled attorney. It is best to hire an attorney who focuses solely on criminal law, rather than a general practitioner who dabbles in criminal law on the side.
You should also consider an attorney’s reputation. If you have worked with other attorneys, call them to ask for recommendations for a criminal attorney. Ask friends or family members for recommendations. You could also look at websites that provide reviews from clients to see what former clients think of their experiences with that attorney.
Criminal attorneys also need significant experience in drug offenses. A criminal defense attorney may have years of experience in white collar crimes or violent crimes, but has never handled a drug crime before. It’s best to locate an attorney with a significant amount of experience defending against drug charges.
Once you’ve gotten a few names, check out the websites of the attorneys. Do their websites show a lot of up to date knowledge and experience with drug charges? Consider calling the attorneys to see if they would consult with you before you choose an attorney. Do you feel comfortable with the attorneys? Do they inspire confidence? Do your personalities mesh well together?