There are certain drugs that are illegal to have. Even though the United States is a free country and you’re an adult, it’s still illegal to have certain substances. If police officers find drugs in your possession, they’ll arrest you for drug possession.
Drug possession is one of the less serious drug charges. In short, it means that you’re being charged with having an illegal drug in your possession in such a small quantity that it’s assumed you’re using it for personal use.
The location of the drugs is often key to the charges
There are many factors that go into what charge a person faces. In the case of a drug possession charge, the person doesn’t have to have the drugs on their person. Instead, they only have to be somewhere the person has control over.
Here’s an example: The police raid a party at your house. They find you in your bedroom and notice a bag of cocaine on the nightstand, they could reasonably assume the cocaine is yours if you’re the only person in your bedroom.
It’s sometimes possible that more than one person has control over the area where the drugs were found. This makes the case complex, but it’s something that a defense strategy could address.
A conviction on drug charges can have a profound impact on the rest of your life. You must take your defense seriously even if you’re “only” facing drug possession charges. Understanding the options that you have can help you to make the decision you feel is in your best interests. Remember to start on the defense strategy as early in the case as you can so you aren’t rushing at the last minute.