Drug charges are serious, and you need to treat them as if they’re going to land you in jail even if it’s unlikely. By looking at the worst-case scenarios, it’s possible to prepare yourself and defend your case in a way that will help you get away with little to no real penalty, depending on the circumstances.
The goal of any attorney working with a client with drug charges placed against him or her is to find the right way to protect his or her interests. If you have an addiction to drugs, for instance, it may be in your best interests to go to drug abuse counseling or substance abuse treatment instead of going to prison. That’s something your attorney can fight for.
Cuyahoga County does have a drug court program that helps individuals accused of drug crimes get much needed medical assistance in lieu of incarceration. The program’s goal is to help break the cycle of abuse and drug dependency, removing someone from the street who was dealing or using drugs in a way that negatively affected the community. The drug courts do work with people with multiple offenses including those with criminal histories and opiate dependencies.
Ohio is one of the states hit the hardest by the “Opioid Crisis,” so it’s already established that many people need help, not punishment. With the right assistance in your case, it’s possible to seek alternative penalties that can help you get back on your feet and on the way to a healthier lifestyle. Our site has more about drug charges in Ohio.