Drug Charges

Drug Charges - From Simple Possession to Complex Conspiracy.

Drug charges nearly always begin with a search. It is almost invariably a consent search. Perhaps you were pulled over in an automobile, ostensibly for a traffic violation. Perhaps you were at the airport and were approached by law enforcement, who asked, "May I speak with you?" Perhaps you were approached in your home for a "knock and talk." If one of the follow-up questions is, "May I search your car?" or "May I search your bag, back pack, or purse?" or "May I come into your home and look around?" the answer should always be no, unless you have a search warrant.

The most commonly exploited citizen misunderstanding is a belief that it is somehow illegal or dishonest to decline to speak to law enforcement. Coming in right behind that is the belief that you must permit law enforcement to search your car, purse, baggage, or home. There is no constitutional duty to do either. If law enforcement comes to your home with a search warrant, clearly they have the right to search. You still do not have any obligation to speak with them.

We've defended thousands of drug cases, both in federal court and in state court. We are familiar with the procedures in both jurisdictions, all the way from detention hearings and bond issues, through preliminary examinations and hearings and probable cause issues, and into evidentiary hearings and motions to suppress evidence and statements or to dismiss because the underlying statute is unconstitutional for some reason. We have tried many of these cases or successfully negotiated guilty pleas with terms beneficial to our clients and protective of their rights. We have filed countless sentencing memoranda through which we have obtained sentences below the federal sentencing guidelines or more favorable than initially recommended.

It is important to remember your rights and to hold onto them if you are stopped for questioning. You should always be polite and never argumentative. However, you may politely decline to make a statement and you may politely decline to allow your car, bag, baggage, or home to be searched without a warrant. If the police tell you they will call a drug dog, of "K-9 unit" if you do not consent to the search, let them. If they tell you that they will impound your car, let them. If they tell you that it will be better for you if you consent, they are not necessarily correct. When you consent to give a voluntary statement or to allow a warrantless search, you are possibly providing evidence that can be used against you that would not otherwise be obtainable.

The most important thing you can say is, "I do not wish to speak to you without a lawyer present." Just say, "No!" to consent searches and voluntary statements. If you have been approached by law enforcement for questioning, call us before you go any further. We are experienced, we are thorough investigators, we are good listeners. We know the right questions to ask. A drug charge can lead to extremely serious penalties, but it doesn't always have to be that way.

We look forward to providing you with the best defense: a good offense.

Contact an Experienced St. Louis Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

Contact Law & Schriener, LLC at 314-480-3389 or 866-373-3720 toll-free to schedule a free consultation to discuss your state or federal drug possession or drug trafficking charges. Our attorneys look forward to serving you.

To learn more about drug charges, please visit our Drug Crimes Information Center.