Drug Crimes Attorney in Tacoma
Drug Crimes in Washington State
If you have been charged with a drug-related crime in the Tacoma, Wash., area, one of the first steps you should take is to contact a qualified local attorney. Depending on the situation, you could face significant consequences, including jail time, fines, probation and more. The specific penalties you face will depend on the type of charges you face, whether you were charged with a felony or misdemeanor, and the details of your case.
Learn more about how Daryl Graves Law, PLLC can help you by contacting us at (253) 217-4849.
Examples of Drug Crimes
Drug-related offenses can carry hefty penalties. For example, in Washington, drug crimes can include:
- Prescription drug fraud
- Possession of a controlled substance without legal cause
- Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute illegally
- Unlawful distribution or delivery of a controlled substance
- Illegally manufacturing a controlled substance
- Conspiring to commit any offense in violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act of the State of Washington
What Defenses Are There For Drug Crimes Cases?
One possible defense in a drug-related charge is to challenge how the evidence was obtained. In order for law enforcement to obtain evidence legally, they must do so in accordance with Washington State search and seizure law, the Washington State constitution and the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. State law requires that law enforcement legally obtain a warrant before being able to search or seize any of your property.
Evidence obtained in an involuntary manner is not admissible in court. Article I, Section 7 of the Washington State constitution states, “No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law.” The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution similarly requires obtaining a warrant under probable cause.
Other defenses may relate to the nature of the crimes for which you are accused. For instance, demonstrating that you did not have constructive possession over the drug, meaning you did not have control over the drug or where it was found.
What Can My Attorney Do?
We will begin by consulting you to gather some of the facts surrounding your case. At this point, we will be able to review some possible outcomes or resolutions for your case. We then will begin building our defense based on your input as well as the other facts obtained during the course of our investigation.
We will represent you throughout the entire process. We may file motions to dismiss or to exclude evidence based on the facts of your case and the laws governing drug crimes in the State of Washington. We will also speak to witnesses and gather any applicable evidence to demonstrate your case.
Throughout the entire process, we will guide you in all the legal matters of your case and provide you with the necessary advice for a positive conclusion to your case. If you were arrested or charged with any type of drug-related crime in the Tacoma, Wash., area, contact Daryl Graves Law as soon as possible. Call (253) 217-4849 in order to discuss the specifics of your case.