Our drugs solicitors don't judge. We win cases where others may have given up.
It is surprisingly easy to get tangled up in a drugs case. They can cause worry about employment, publicity or even prison. Police or even lawyers aren't always sympathetic to the damage the case might cause.
The evidence chain can be extremely important. If your lawyer can take away a single link, the court may not convict. Having a specialist drugs lawyer can make the difference between conviction and acquittal.
Read on to find out why drugs cases can be difficult, and how our expert drugs lawyers fight them.
Recent success stories
Class A drug supply client - we obtain community order.
Non-custodial sentence - no prison
CPS Drop Class A Drug Supply Case before Trial
Case discontinued by the prosecution
Drugs cases can cause various types of damage in people's lives.
A drugs case can be loaded with stigma. It can be out of proportion with the actual harm caused. These cases can do permanent damage to a person’s life.
In some cases there's a risk of prison, but even simple possession can result in a criminal record, and seriously affect a person’s career or profession.
It can be even harder to bear if a person doesn’t know what to expect from the process. Not everyone knows where or how to find an expert drugs solicitor to help manage the situation.
People can have real worries about their financial security and about how they will support their family if the case goes ahead. The publicity and shame sometimes associated with a drugs case can also cause embarrassment to loved ones and put pressure on personal relationships.
The system often fails to recognise that people caught up in drugs cases didn’t make an active decision to become involved. They’re often victims themselves, and the stress of the case can make underlying problems even worse.
People get 'processed' and convicted, resulting in unfair outcomes.
Police often have no discretion and ‘process’ people in instead of treating them as an individual. Sadly even drugs lawyers sometimes forget that a drugs allegation can be life changing. The law isn't always properly explained. Even if police or lawyers seem to be sympathetic, they often don’t act in a caring or professional way.
Newspapers will often name people involved in a drugs case without care for the harm it causes.
Police are also trained to find out if a person is in a ‘notifiable profession’. This means that they notify the person’s employer or regulator.
The fact that the system doesn’t treat real criminals very different from people who have ended up in a situation essentially by accident means that these cases have unfair consequences. Without the intervention of experienced drugs solicitors, a person can end up with a criminal conviction or prison where a fairer outcome would be helping with issues they have, rather than punishing them.
There is hope. It starts with decent drugs solicitors defending you.
It doesn't have to be like this. Having a firm of expert solicitors can bring some hope back to you.
How should this look? First of all, proper drugs lawyers listen to their clients. What does the person need from the situation? To avoid getting a criminal record? Not to go to prison? Is it because of a job, because of negative publicity, or to protect family? These are important questions. Drugs solicitors won't know the answers without asking.
Drugs solicitors are proactive. This means being in contact with the police. It means getting disclosure and investigating points which can help the defence.
It means supporting the client through the process so he or she understands what is going on and what is going to happen before it does.
In serious cases such as conspiracy cases, solicitors will fight for you from the beginning. This also means not giving anything away to the police, pushing for evidence, and instructing experts to work with your drugs lawyers.
Our drugs solicitors know what works. We're ready to do that for you.
From the first time you meet one of our solicitors, you should feel that part of the burden you're carrying has been made lighter.
Straight away we put you at ease. We listen. We don't judge. We give you solid advice that will help, and we answer all your questions.
When you're our client, our drugs lawyers take immediate steps to improve the situation and we are then proactive at every stage.
We get on record with the police or the prosecution so they know who they're dealing with. We make sure that you're treated fairly. If there is a chance that the case could be dropped, we make sure that the other side sees why that is the best option.
We demand that you are given whatever evidence that you have a right to. We assemble a team of top specialist drugs barristers and forensic experts to assist our team of drugs solicitors so that the case is prepared perfectly, and so we can achieve the only result that matters - the win.
Things you can do to improve things, starting now.
There are some basic things you can do to start improving your chances in this situation.
Get a good firm of specialist drugs solicitors on your side. Even if the case has been going for some time, it's not too late to improve things.
Call us and speak to one of our lawyers with no obligation. You'll get straight through to a lawyer, and we can often see you the same day, on secure video call or in person.
Don't speak to police without a lawyer, especially if you want to give your explanation.
Don't post anything on social media or send any messages to anyone about the case. The fewer people you discuss it with, the better.
Make sure you at least have one person to confide in and get support from.
If you're suffering from stress or sleep issues, see your GP. You don't have to give them the details.
Don't give up and assume it's hopeless, even if police claim to have found drugs.
Consider not using the same solicitor as other people in the case if there may be a conflict of interest.
No-tricks fixed-fee pricing
We can usually offer a fixed fee instalment plan so you can plan for the expense, and so you can fund your case in stages while it is continuing.
Private representation
Once we have an idea of what kind of case you are facing and what work that will be necessary, we will then be able to provide you with a fixed fee quote. This means that you know before you commit how much your case will cost.
What's included?
Frequently asked questions
Will I go to prison for drugs?
Generally, people don't go to prison for possession of drugs unless there is drug supply or intent to supply, but this is advice that you should get from an experienced drugs solicitor.
Will I have a criminal record for drugs?
If you admit an offence and get a caution from police, if you plead guilty or are found guilty in court, you will have a criminal record. You can't get a criminal record just from being accused.
Can I get a caution for drugs?
In some cases, usually of possession of a very small amount of drugs possession the police may offer a caution. This means that you've admitted the offence. You will have a criminal record that will show up on DBS checks for at least some time.
How much drugs counts as just possession?
If you can credibly and truthfully claim that drugs were only for your use, the police or the court may agree that drugs were for your own use and not intended for supply. The exact amount depends on the facts. An amount of drugs which could be consumed in a matter of hours or days could count as possession. Some people do buy in bulk, however, even if it is for personal use. Advice from an experienced
What is possession of drugs?
Possession is when drugs are in your control and you know about it. You cannot be in possession if drugs have been planted on you or in your bag and you did not know about it.
What is possession with intent to supply drugs?
Possession with intent to supply happens where a person has drugs in his or her control and intends to pass them to someone else, either in exchange for money or even without payment. The drugs don't have to be on you to be guilty if you are in control of them.
What is social supply?
Social supply is selling to people you know rather than the open market, and not for significant financial gain. The reason social supply is an important idea is that for this type of dealing a court will often not send someone to prison.
What is a drugs conspiracy?
Conspiracy means a plan to commit an offence or offences with at least one other person. Drugs conspiracy cases usually involve the production, supply or importation of larger amounts of drugs.
Does a courier get treated the same as a boss in a drugs case?
Couriers may benefit less than their bosses in a drugs case, but they are still treated harshly by the law. Prison sentences are often handed out by judges. Where someone has been in a slavery situation or is a youth, they may be treated more leniently.
What will happen to me if I was forced to store drugs for someone.
Where somebody has been forced to store drugs, the court may consider a lower sentence, but it may not rule out a prison sentence on conviction. The law of duress may give a person a defence if they were storing drugs and had no choice, but they will have to persuade a jury that they couldn't have gone to police for help.
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We'll get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to speak to you if you have a query, and either have a free consultation on the phone or in person if necessary.