Statistics show that around 17.5% of Sydney’s population uses drugs. Sydney and the NSW area as a whole have seen an increase in the number of drug possession charges over the past few years. According to recent research on drug crimes across Australia, this trend is expected to continue.
With most arrests taking place on Sydney streets, it is essential for individuals charged with this crime to understand what penalties they face and what legal options are available to them.
If you or a close acquaintance has been wrongfully arrested for possession of drugs, you must be hastily searching online for “expert drug lawyers sydney“. But before you make any decision, you must understand the gravity of drug usage and its consequences.
About Drug Use in Sydney
The increase in drug-related crime is mainly due to an influx of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), cocaine, and methamphetamine (or ice). While these drugs are available throughout Australia, they are trendy in Sydney’s nightclub scene, with most arrests occurring outside venues or at parties.
In NSW, penalties for drug-related offences range from fines and good behaviour bonds to full-on jail terms. In the past year alone, a 38-year older man was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of two charges of possessing a prohibited drug and its sale and supply, while another man was fined $10,000 for possessing 586 MDMA tablets for personal use.
If you are charged with a drug possession offence in Sydney, here’s what you need to do:
Speak with a Lawyer about Your Charge
Rather than panicking about the situation, consult with an expert lawyer. You can find a reputed lawyer living in Sydney but a simple “drug lawyers sydney” google search. A professional consultation will help you know more about what you’re up against and discuss possible defenses. This will also give you the chance to explore legal avenues such as: denying possession, arguing involuntariness, or challenging the legality of evidence.
Get Your Facts Straight
It’s essential to get all of the facts straight when building your case. During an initial consultation about drug charges, you will be able to discuss your arrest and gather further information that might help in your defence.
Be sure to note down important details about the incident while they are still fresh in your mind. This way, you can provide your solicitor with a detailed account of what happened, which can be used as evidence later on.
Don’t Lie
It might be tempting to offer up an excuse or tell a lie about your case to get out of it or make yourself look better, but lying comes with its consequences. Your solicitor will only be able to build the best possible defence for you if they have all the relevant facts, so don’t try to cover your tracks or leave out essential details.
Access Drug Rehabilitation Programs
If you are found guilty of drug possession, you may be offered access to a rehabilitation program instead of serving full time in jail (or on top of any fines that might be imposed).
Often, your solicitor can help find the best way out to suit your needs and coincide with the type of drug involved. Regardless of the type of possession charge you face, it’s important to remember that being accused is not the same as being guilty.
All the charges made against you can be discharged if your drugs test results come back negative. Be sure to contact an efficient lawyer who can review your case and provide honest, informed advice on how best to proceed.
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