When you are facing drug charges, working closely with an attorney who will explain clearly all your rights, options and potential consequences can help to ensure that you make decision that are in your best interests. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Learn More About Drug Charges
If you are facing charges for drug possession, manufacturing, distribution or trafficking, it is important to understand your rights throughout the process. Read the information below to learn about laws regarding drug charges. If you have questions regarding your specific situation, contact Robert N. Payne, Attorney at Law, online or by calling 256-270-2013.
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Attorney Robert Payne has more than 20 years of experience defending clients throughout Huntsville and northern Alabama. If you are looking for an experienced lawyer who can give you the aggressive defense you need, contact him online or call 256-270-2013.
Criminal charges for drug crimes can have a negative impact on the rest of your. Whether you are facing charges for using marijuana, crack, cocaine or ecstasy, or if you were caught abusing prescription drugs, it is important to work with an experienced lawyer. Learn more about the representation attorney Robert Payne offers by viewing the drug charges page.
Alternatives to Incarceration in Drug Cases
Since the late 1980s, there has been a dramatic shift in the approach of the American justice system toward drug crimes. Drug courts, which operate or are being planned in all 50 states, offer an alternative to traditional incarceration. By providing a structure that emphasizes substance abuse treatment and on-going supervision, drug courts aim to rehabilitate and reduce repeat offenses. Consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney at Robert N. Payne, Attorney at Law in Huntsville, Alabama to learn about the range of alternatives to jail that may be available to you.
The Drug Court Model
The first drug court was established in Miami, Florida, in 1989. First developed as a way to relieve increased felony caseloads and overcrowded jails and prisons, the drug court movement has gained tremendous momentum throughout the United States. In the decades since then, drug courts now operate, or are being planned, in all 50 states.
Recognizing that incarceration alone has not been an effective solution to breaking the cycle of drug abuse and crime, the drug court model combines criminal justice and medical treatment approaches. Together, it is believed, these methods can help individuals break their dependence on drugs and ultimately take back control of their lives.
While the specific programs and methods used by individual drug courts vary, the emphasis is cooperation by all parties--the court, prosecution, defendant and treatment providers--to rehabilitate individuals with substance abuse problems who have been charged with a drug crime. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment (typically 12 months), counseling, frequent drug testing, and regular court appearances. Related social and educational services may also be part of the process. The progress of each participant is regularly monitored and evaluated, and on-going interaction with judges is a common feature.
While drug courts have tended to focus on low-level and first-time offenders, individuals with more severe substance abuse issues and criminal activity have increasingly come within the drug court's efforts as well.
Successful Outcomes
Participants who comply with drug court terms and conditions often have their sentences reduced or set aside, probation rescinded or charges dropped altogether. Depending on the particular drug court, approaches taken range from diversion to probation. In all cases, however, successful completion means an alternative to going to jail and the chance to break the cycle of addiction.
Learn About Your Options
Being charged with a drug crime, whether or not it is your first offense, does not necessarily have to end in a jail sentence. With the growing emphasis on substance abuse treatment and other non-traditional approaches in the justice system, you may have options. If you are facing a drug charge, call an attorney who is experienced in criminal defense at Robert N. Payne, Attorney at Law in Huntsville, Alabama for help in understanding the alternatives available to you.
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