5 Defenses That Could Help You Fight Drug Charges in Mecklenburg County
It’s possible that certain defenses could help get the charges dismissed or reduced, or classified as a minor offense through a plea bargain. In addition, our skilled criminal defense lawyers at Browning & Long may also be able to work out a conditional discharge of the charges if you’re eligible for this under North Carolina General Statute § 90-96.
Here are several strong defenses we may be able to raise to protect your rights and achieve a favorable outcome:
- Presumption of innocence. Even if you’re guilty of a drug crime, it’s the responsibility of the prosecutor to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Our defense attorneys apply various strategies to cast doubt on the prosecution's case, challenge the credibility of witnesses and the reliability of the evidence, and present facts supporting your defenses.
- Chain of custody problems. Ensuring the integrity of evidence is crucial in drug cases. Any break in the chain of custody—from the seizure of drugs to their presentation in court—can raise doubts about the authenticity, reliability, and admissibility of evidence against you.
- Lab analysis mistakes. Drug test results aren’t infallible. Errors in testing procedures, contamination of samples, or misinterpretation of findings undermine the prosecution's case and create reasonable doubt about your guilt. Our dedicated criminal defense lawyers review the drug test results and hire an expert witness, if necessary, to challenge them.
- Constitutional violations. Law enforcement officials must adhere to constitutional protections when conducting searches, seizures, and arrests. So if they:
- performed an illegal search and seizure,
- failed to issue your Miranda warnings,
- Or otherwise violated your rights during any stage of the investigation or arrest; evidence obtained unlawfully may be suppressed, weakening the prosecution's case.
- Entrapment. If you were induced or coerced by law enforcement into committing a drug-related offense that you wouldn’t have otherwise, you may have a valid defense of entrapment.
As former prosecutors, our lawyers have an intimate understanding of the other side’s perspective. We know what to anticipate in court and what tactics they may employ. This helps us prepare more thoroughly and address all potential aspects of your drug crime case.
