When you or a loved one is accused of drug trafficking, the stakes are high. The consequences of a drug conviction can be devastating, including time in prison, large fines, and a criminal record that can follow you for the rest of your life.
That’s why it’s important to choose an experienced attorney who knows how to defend drug trafficking cases. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the qualities you should look for when choosing an attorney to represent you in court.
1. Understanding of Drug Laws
Their understanding of how drug laws work at a federal and state level is unquestionable. They know when a search and seizure is lawful and when it is not. They know how law enforcement develops probable cause. They also know the hierarchy of consequences to mitigate judgments if you’re found guilty.
2. Procedural Knowledge
Legal procedures can be extremely complicated. It’s a lot to take in if you’re trying to balance being accused with managing the fallout. And if you do suffer from an addiction, you’re at a great disadvantage when it comes to representing yourself or hiring an unvetted attorney.
One of the things that John Teakell is very well-known for is procedural navigation. That goes at both the federal and state levels. He’s worked them all. He knows what to do, what not to do, and when to file different kinds of motions.
Mr. Teakell has a lot of experience. But he also has a lot of knowledge about drug cases and the law. He understands the science behind drug testing and how it can be challenged in court.
3. Talented Case Builder
If you are accused of a crime, your attorney must be prepared to play both offense and defense. This means knowing when to attack the prosecution’s case and when to build a defense.
To do this, your attorney will need to have a thorough understanding of the facts of your case. He or she will also need to be familiar with the criminal justice system and the applicable laws. Going beyond that, however, he or she will need to know how the different pieces of information connect and how they can be used to your advantage procedurally. In other words, he must know how to build a case and not simply respond to the prosecution’s accusations.
4. Deeply Analytical
One of the most important qualities of being able to build a case is being able to analyze facts, data, statements, and other information. Your attorney should be able to contextualize information and see the big picture. He should also be able to identify what is important and what is not.
This requires more than just a basic understanding of the law. It requires critical thinking and the ability to see things from different perspectives. It also requires the ability to identify patterns and to see how information fits together.
5. Track Record
These are just a few of the qualities you should look for in an attorney when you are accused of drug crimes, and John Teakell has them. You can see this because of his track record, which is the next quality we’d like to discuss.
When huge fines, jail time, and life-long repercussions after serving your time hover over you, you want to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your attorney has seen cases like yours before, and that they’ve done the very best for the clients in those situations.
6. Awareness of How Drug Addiction and Rehab Works
Why is this important for your attorney to have? Quite simply, it is because an acquittal may not always be possible.
When it’s not, it helps to have some knowledge of how addiction and rehabilitation work so those points can be argued during the trial and sentencing. Being able to show that you’re open to getting help can often be a key to mitigating more severe penalties.
Choosing the right drug trafficking defense attorney can mean the difference between a guilty verdict and an acquittal. If you or a loved one has been accused of drug trafficking, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today to discuss your case.
John Teakell is just such an attorney. With more than two decades of experience, 14 years receiving the prestigious Super Lawyers distinction, and a work history that includes both prosecution and defense, he knows how to approach these cases from every angle for the best possible outcome. Call John today!
