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5 Effective Drug Possession Defense Strategies
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5 Effective Drug Possession Defense Strategies
5 Effective Drug Possession Defense Strategies from Future First Criminal Law
1. Ask the Court to Suppress the Evidence
If the police violated your constitutional rights when they seized the drugs you are alleged to have possessed, you can ask the judge to suppress the evidence. In the right case, a motion to suppress can be an especially effective defense to drug possession charges. If the motion to suppress is granted, the case will probably be dismissed without a trial. The prosecution cannot use evidence gained by violating the law. Therefore, the substance that was illegally seized cannot be admitted into evidence nor can the results of a lab test conducted on a substance.
Search Warrants – The Constitution prohibits the government from conducting unreasonable searches and seizures. As a general rule, police are required to get a warrant before searching any place or item in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy– her home, office, hotel room, luggage, sealed packages, and mail, for example.
To get a search warrant, the police must provide a judge or magistrate with one or more affidavits (written statements under oath) reporting the observations of confidential informants, private citizens, or police officers. The affidavits must provide probable cause to believe that the search will reveal contraband or evidence of a crime.
Searches pursuant to a warrant can be attacked for several reasons, for example, the affidavit may contain false statements or fail to establish probable cause, the warrant may not be sufficiently specific, or the search may be beyond what the warrant allows.
Warrantless Searches – Not all searches require a warrant, however. Many exceptions allow the police to conduct warrantless searches. The rules on warrantless searches are sometimes vague and not infrequently police exceed permissible bounds and conduct a questionable searches. Warrantless searches often used by police to find drugs include:
- Search with Consent: Police do not need a warrant or probable cause to search a person or place when a person with the right to do so consents. Consent must be given freely and voluntarily. Consent extracted by intimidation or lies is not valid.
- Drugs in Plain View: When the police are in a place where they are entitled to be, they can seize evidence that is in plain view. They must have probable cause to believe the item they seize is contraband or evidence of a crime.
- Search Incident to Arrest: When police lawfully arrest someone, the areas accessible to the arrestee can be searched incident to the arrest. If the arrest is without probable cause, the evidence obtained during the search can be suppressed.
- Automobile Search: An automobile that is readily mobile may be searched without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe the vehicle contains contraband or evidence of a crime. If the vehicle is validly stopped, the passenger compartment may be searched for weapons for the officer’s protection if the officer has a reasonable suspicion weapons will be found.
- Frisks: Police may frisk a suspect when they have a reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. The frisk is a limited pat-down for weapons.
Common Scenarios – The outcome of a motion to suppress can never be guaranteed. However, here are some common scenarios in which the police arguably overstepped and a motion to suppress has a good chance of success. They are by no means the only situations in which a search can be challenged.
- The police ask for permission to search a person’s home, car, office, hotel room, etc. and she agrees. Drugs are found. But she agreed only because she was intimidated or tricked. For example, the officer asked with his hand on his gun and did not tell her she had a right to refuse. Or the officer falsely told the woman he could get a search warrant when he could not or falsely told her a drug dog had alerted.
- A home is searched pursuant to a search warrant. The warrant application is based on an affidavit that contains several materially false statements because police used an affidavit from an earlier case and did not revise it to fit the facts of the current case.
- A search warrant authorizes the search of a home for stolen TV’s. The police open a dresser drawer where a stolen ATV could not possibly have been hidden and find drugs.
- The police knock on the door of a house to talk to residents. They do not have a warrant. No one answers so they go around to the backyard and enter an area that is fenced off, posted with a no trespassing sign, or surrounded by a hedge where they find drugs.
- The police bring a drug-sniffing dog up to the window of a house and the dog alerts. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that police cannot bring a drug-sniffing dog up to the door of a home in the hopes of creating probable cause to obtain a search warrant.Florida v. Jardines, 569 U.S.1(2013).
- A person is arrested after emerging from a house or an alley that the police were watching because of suspected drug activity. Drugs are found in his backpack. But the police never saw him engage in a handoff or other suspicious activity before arresting him.
- Police often stop cars for minor traffic violations and then look for a justification to search the occupants or car for drugs. Here are some examples of motor vehicle searches that could be challenged with a motion to suppress because the police arguably exceeded their authority:
- Police stop a car for a minor traffic violation. The driver is cooperative, his license and registration are in order, and he is not wanted for any crime. The police order him out of the car and pat him down for “the officer’s safety” finding a small quantity of drugs in his pocket. The police never saw any evidence the driver was armed, no crime had been reported in the vicinity, and the area was not a high-crime area.
- Police stop a car for a traffic violation. No drugs or weapons are found when the occupants are patted down.
2. Challenge the Prosecution Evidence of Possession
The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant possessed a controlled substance.
Two Types of Possession: Actual and Constructive – The law recognizes two types of possession, actual and constructive. Actual possession means you have the drug on your person (e.g., in your hands, mouth, pockets, purse, or backpack). Constructive possession means you do not have the drug on your person but you have control over it.
- Factors that Indicate Constructive Possession: Proximity and Control – The totality of circumstances determines if a person constructively possessed an illegal substance. Proximity to the drugs, that is how close were the drugs to the defendant, is one factor that courts consider. But courts have consistently ruled that proximity alone is not sufficient to convict a person of constructive possession of a controlled substance.
- Constructive Example: Don purchased several hydrocodone pills illegally and placed them in his medicine cabinet from which he could retrieve them whenever he wanted. If the police find the pills in his medicine cabinet, Don could be charged with constructive possession of the pills even though he did not have physical possession of them.
Another important issue is whether the defendant had sole control of the area where the drugs were found. If multiple people are in an area, it can be difficult or impossible for the prosecution to prove which of them controlled any drugs that are found.
- Example 1: Bob has a party at his house with several guests. After a lot of drinking, a fight breaks out. The police are called and they find a bag of cocaine on a table. The cocaine could belong to anyone attending the party. June, a party guest, was sitting next to the table, but without additional evidence, it would probably be difficult for the prosecution to prove she possessed the drugs or intended to possess the drugs. By contrast, if a person has sole possession of a house or room, constructive possession is more easily proven.
- Example 2: Bob lives alone, keeps to himself, and never has parties or guests. If the police found cocaine on a table in Bob’s home, the prosecution will probably be able to prove that Bob knew about the cocaine and had constructive possession of it because he had exclusive possession and control of the house. Seldom does anyone live so isolated from other people. Often two or more people reside in a house or apartment.
- Example 3: Rick has three roommates in his home. If cocaine is found in the house, Rick might be a suspect, but in most instances, the prosecution would have to provide additional evidence that Rick knew the cocaine was present and intended to maintain control over the drug. However, the prosecution would probably be able to prove constructive possession of the cocaine were found in a closet in Rick’s room which he always kept locked, and to which he alone had the key. Even when a home has a single occupant, circumstances could indicate another person had control of the drugs.
- Example 4: Ray’s fiancée frequently visits his home. Because Ray is the home’s sole resident, a bag of cocaine on the coffee table would probably be sufficient evidence for the jury to conclude the drugs belonged to Ray. However, Ray could raise the defense that the drugs belonged to his fiancée and he did not know the drugs were in the bag and had no intent to control them. The jury would then determine if they believed Ray.
Innocent Possession – Having an illegal drug in your immediate area or your possession does not automatically mean you have committed a crime. Most crimes have two aspects. The defendant must (a) commit a bad act (b) with the intention to do a bad act. The same is true with possession. A person may have possession of an illegal drug for an innocent reason.
Fleeting Possession – Fleeting possession typically applies when a person takes possession of a drug to dispose of it.
Example 1: A California case illustrates the point and also the necessity of knowing all the details before making a judgment. A neighbor saw Andy, the defendant, lean into the passenger side of a car, slap the passenger, take a red bandana from the car and throw it into a field. Andy then drove off with the passenger still in the car.
The neighbor called the police and an officer found the bandana in the field. It contained heroin. No one disputed that heroin was in the bandana, no one disputed that Andy took the bandana from the passenger, and no one disputed Andy knew heroin was in the bandana. He was convicted of possession of heroin.
Andy appealed his conviction. Here his motives became important. Andy observed the passenger was drowsy. He was concerned the passenger had overdosed and was losing consciousness. He slapped the passenger to revive him. He took the heroin from the passenger so he could not shoot-up again. He drove the passenger to a fire department and explained the passenger needed oxygen. He was given oxygen and transported to a hospital. And waited at the fire station for the police to arrive.
So, Andy acted responsibly. He placed himself in legal jeopardy to save someone else. He recognized the symptoms of his friend’s overdosing and acted promptly to get medical assistance for him.
The California court ruled that Andy only held the drug long enough to dispose of it and that did not constitute illegal possession of the heroin. Furthermore, the Court noted there was no evidence that Andy intended to resume control of the drug when he threw it in the field. He abandoned the property. If Andy had returned to the field to retrieve the drug, the Court probably would have come to a different conclusion. People v. Mijares,6 Cal.3d 415, 99 Cal.Rptr. 139, 491 P.2d 1115 (Cal. 1971).
Andy engaged in all the behavior that constitutes illegal possession. However, he did not intend to commit a crime.
Example 2: A New York court reached a similar conclusion when a bar’s bouncer was arrested for possession of 14 packets of cocaine he confiscated from a patron who was entering the bar. People v. EC,195 Misc.2d 680, 761 N.Y.S.2d 443 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2003). The bouncer’s boss told him to confiscate illegal drugs from anyone entering the bar; then deliver the drugs to the security agency that hired him. The security agency’s policy was to turn the drugs over to the police.
The New York court ruled a person could have a legal excuse for possessing illegal drugs. The bouncer was entitled to jury instructions on innocent possession. A jury would then determine if the bouncer had the intent to maintain control of the drugs or had an innocent intent. A word of warning, these are other state cases. Courts from different states may reach different results on similar facts.
Disputing Possession – What seems like a simple element can be a big problem for the prosecution. Granted, the prosecution will have a relatively easy time proving possession if a defendant is found with a large amount of cocaine in his coat pocket. However, the prosecution often has to rely on constructive possession.
Example 1: Ann leases an apartment but has a couple of roommates. The police find a marijuana plant on the window sill. Ann is charged because the apartment is in her name.
At trial, Ann’s defense attorney cross-examines the arresting officer asking him if he was aware other people lived in the apartment. The officer answers “yes.” He adds that only Ann’s name was on the lease. So, he arrested Ann.
Questioning the officer about the other residents accomplishes two purposes. First, at the least, it will raise a doubt in the juror’s minds concerning who owned the marijuana plant in the window. Second, mere proximity to drugs is insufficient to sustain a conviction. Therefore, the judge may dismiss the charges without the case going to the jury. However, since Ann is renting the apartment the judge may let the jury decide it.
Example 2: Suppose instead that Beth was visiting Ann when the police came. Beth was sitting in a chair close to the window. Beth is charged with possession of marijuana, but the prosecution has no incriminating evidence other than Beth’s proximity to the marijuana plant. In such a weak case, Beth’s attorney would probably ask a few questions at trial so that the witnesses are not inadvertently prompted to add a detail that would link Beth to the plant. At the close of the prosecution’s case, the defense attorney would then ask the judge to dismiss the charges. There is a good chance the judge would do so.
Frequently in drug cases, proximity is the most significant piece of evidence the prosecution can present.
Example 3: Sam is well known by the police to be a crack addict. The police see Sam asleep or passed out in a back alley and a crack pipe is lying within three feet of him. The pipe has sufficient crack residue that a person who had the pipe could be charged with possession of crack.
There is a good chance the police are going to arrest Sam. Here is the problem with the case. Sam is not the only crack addict on the streets. Also, no evidence, other than proximity, links Sam to the crack pipe.
In Sam’s case, the defense attorney may ask the police whether other people enter the back ally. The obvious answer is yes. The defense attorney may ask the officers if they monitored the area before Sam was found to establish a crack pipe was not already on the pavement. The police will probably answer no. Next, the attorney will ask: “Then you do not know if another person left the pipe on the street, do you?”
If the judge does not dismiss the case against Sam, Sam’s attorney can drive home the point the prosecution has to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt in the closing argument. Jurors may think the pipe probably did belong to Sam. However, the belief the pipe probably belonged to Sam is not enough. Beyond a reasonable doubt requires a higher level of certainty than “probably.”
The prosecution may try to allege a defendant constructively possessed a controlled substance in numerous situations. Assumptions and prejudices simply do not stand up when a defense attorney argues a case to a disinterested jury.
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5 Effective Drug Possession Defense Strategies – Continued
3. Challenge the Prosecution Evidence of Knowing Possession
To convict a person of possession of a controlled substance, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the person possessed the drug knowingly. There are two components to the concept of “knowingly.”
Knowledge the Substance Is a Controlled Substance – First, the prosecution must prove the defendant knew the substance was a controlled substance, i.e., it is illegal or available by prescription only.
Example: Betty has a bad headache. She is having dinner with Joel and complains about her headache. Joel says,“I have something for that.” He gives her a few pills and tells her they are “maximum dose” aspirin he picked up at the drug store. Betty has no reason to believe otherwise and takes a couple of pills home with her. The pills are Percoset. Betty leaves the pills in a baggie on the passenger seat of her car. On the way home, she is stopped for rolling through a stop sign. The officer sees the pills in plain sight and arrests her for possession. Betty has a defense to a possession charge because she made a mistake of fact. She believed the pills to be aspirin.
Knowledge of Possessing a Controlled Substance – Second, the prosecution must prove the defendant knew he or she had possessed the controlled substance.
Example 1: Leo, Melissa’s boyfriend, asks her to drop off a box at his brother’s house on her way to work. He tells her it’s a birthday gift for the brother. Melissa tosses the box in her car and drives off. A police officer stops her for an expired registration sticker on her license plate. He asks her if he can look in the box and she says ok. The officer finds cocaine. Melissa possesses the package and the drugs, but does not know the drugs are in the package.
In numerous situations, a person may possess a controlled substance and not know it. For example, trace amounts are frequently not considered sufficient evidence of knowing possession. A small amount of marijuana on a car’s floorboard may be undetectable by a person in the car. Similarly, trace amounts in a person’s coat pocket may be insufficient to sustain a conviction without other evidence.
Firstly, one court ruled a trace amount of cocaine found in the defendant’s pants pockets was so small that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. The arresting officer did not find the drugs in the defendant’s pocket. The cocaine was not discovered until the clothes were examined in a laboratory by the forensic examiner. The examiner testified the cocaine could have been observed by the naked eye, but the amount was insufficient to weigh. The court noted the absence of any evidence indicating the defendant knew the cocaine was in his pockets. Consequently, the trace amount was insufficient to prove the defendant knew he had possession of cocaine. Hudson v. State, 30 So. 3d 1199 (Miss. 2010).
In another case, the defendant possessed 2.10 grams of methamphetamine in a form-fitting coat pocket. The pocket also contained a cigarette lighter and her license. The court noted the form-fitting jacket made it more likely the defendant knew the methamphetamine was there even if, as she claimed, the jacket belonged to a friend. The court also mentioned the lighter and license in the pocket as reasons the defendant knew the drugs were present. People v. Evansarti, No. G052306 (Cal. App. 2017). Similarly, if the defendant’s behavior indicated she knew the drug was present, a trace amount can be sufficient for a conviction.
Example 2: David is driving a car and is pulled over by the police for speeding. The police officer sees David throw a foil wrapper from the car. The officer retrieves the wrapper and finds a trace amount of a white powder rolled up in the wrapper. The white powder is methamphetamine. David argues he borrowed the car and did not know the drugs were in the car. Standing alone, that might be a successful argument. However, David’s throwing the drugs from the car could be interpreted as knowledge of guilt.
4. Challenge the Prosecution’s Identification of the Controlled Substance
To convict a person of possession of a controlled substance, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance on which the charge is based is a controlled substance.
What is a Controlled Substance? – Controlled substances include both drugs having no legal medical use such as crack, heroin, and cocaine, as well as prescription medications such as Percocet and Xanax. Possessing prescription medication is legal, provided you have a valid prescription. A word of caution, state laws typically require prescribed controlled substances to be kept in the bottle with the labeling information supplied by the pharmacy.
Prosecution Must Prove the Substance is Illegal to Possess – The prosecution must prove the substance is illegal or illegal for the defendant to possess.
Often a police officer conducts a field test with a portable testing kit to determine if a substance is illegal. Some officers have training in how to identify a substance without a chemical test. Field tests and the officer’s observations are used to establish probable cause that a crime has been committed. Probable cause gives the police a justification to make an arrest. Field tests and the officer’s observations are insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a substance is illegal. A laboratory analysis is typically the only way for the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a substance is a controlled substance. Field tests are often inaccurate and routinely produce false positives. Even though laboratory analysis is required to get a conviction at a trial, some courts will accept a guilty plea based on field test results. Many innocent people make the mistake of pleading guilty when a field test is positive for an illegal drug.
Prosecution Must Establish a Chain of Custody – The next step in identifying whether a substance is a controlled substance is to establish a chain of custody. At trial, the prosecution must show the substance that was tested was the same substance that the police claim was the reason for the arrest.
Example: George is arrested for possession of cocaine. The police take custody of a white powder found in George’s car. At trial, the prosecution presents a laboratory analysis of a white powder indicating that it is cocaine. However, the question remains whether the powder that the lab tested is the same substance that the police removed from George’s car.
To prove the substance tested was the substance the defendant possessed, the prosecution must establish a chain of custody. A chain of custody for controlled substances should contain the following general steps:
- A police officer places the suspicious substance in a sealed container.
- A notation is made of when and where the substance was obtained.
- The container is stored in a secure area.
- A record is maintained of who has access to the substance.
- The laboratory receives the sealed container and a lab analyst opens it.
- The lab analyst documents when the container was opened, what procedures were performed on the contents, and who had access to them.
- The material is resealed and placed in a secure area.
- All steps are documented
Remedies for a Break in the Chain of Custody – There are two remedies when a chain of custody is broken. A relatively minor break in the chain typically goes to the weight of the evidence. The evidence is admitted for the jury’s consideration. The break in the chain of custody is called to the jury’s attention and the jury decides whether to believe the evidence or not. When a significant break occurs, the court can keep the test results from the jury. For example, a Hawaii court ruled lab tests inadmissible when the analyst who conducted the test was not in the courtroom. A break in the chain of custody occurred since the analyst was not present to explain what happened to the substance while it was in his possession. Since the substance tested was powder, the court observed it would be readily susceptible to alteration or substitution. State v. Lopes, No. 29369 (Haw. App. 2010).
Example: A serious breach in the chain of custody was also reported in a Minnesota case. State v. Conlin (Minn. App. 2014. In Conlin, a police officer/dog handler removed marijuana from the evidence locker so the marijuana could be used to train a dog. He failed to make a record in the chain of custody log that he removed the marijuana from the evidence room. Then, he failed to return the marijuana to the evidence room immediately after using the substance for a dog training exercise. He placed some of the marijuana in a gun safe and placed the remainder of the marijuana in two other lockers. The officer who used the marijuana for the training exercise testified he returned the marijuana in the gun safe to the evidence room, but someone else removed the marijuana that was in the other lockers.
The trial judge ruled the marijuana and the test results that were derived from the marijuana taken from the evidence room could not be used at trial because the chain of custody was broken. The real lesson in this case though is how, in some instances, law enforcement officers can display a complete lack of professionalism and fail to follow proper protocol. That is why all documentation needs to be questioned and examined.
Law enforcement’s failure to follow the proper procedures could also influence a juror on the overall credibility and professionalism of the police. Although a defense attorney may not explicitly make this argument, jurors are aware of a police officer’s lapse in professionalism, and they often resent it.
Example: Officer Jones works for a small town without many resources. He is the only officer on duty when he makes a traffic stop and sees a bag of crack cocaine in the car. The cocaine was in the console between the driver and the passenger. He arrests the passenger for possession, seizes the crack and stores it in his desk for a couple of days. He did not prepare an evidence log; he made no notation of the time the crack was placed in the desk. He testifies that his desk was locked and no one had access to the interior of his desk. Officer Jones waits until his chief returns to duty to receive instructions on how to process the evidence, which is ultimately tested at a lab. The lab confirms that the substance is cocaine.
The evidence from the lab is admitted at trial. Although the jurors may not truly doubt the substance tested was indeed the same substance seized in the car, the jurors are unhappy with Officer Jones’s lack of professionalism. When it is time to vote guilty or not guilty, the jurors may be swayed by the unprofessionalism of the police.
Cross-Examination of Lab Technician/Chemists – The defense does not have to accept the lab results without a fight. The Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to confront his or her accusers at trial. The chemist or lab tech who performed the tests that identified the controlled substance must be available for cross-examination by the defense attorney. The lab report by itself is not sufficient.
Questioning Testing Procedures – Cross-examination of the lab tech who performed the tests can be critical. For example, the final lab results may report a sample contained a controlled substance. However, some tests may have been performed on the sample that failed to detect an illegal substance. The defense can cross-examine the lab tech about not only the results of the test but the process that was used to achieve the results. The process may reveal that the substance was tested several times until a positive result was obtained.
Just as you cannot assume policies regarding the chain of custody were followed, you cannot assume proper laboratory procedures were followed to determine if a substance is a controlled substance. Lab technicians who are under pressure to process a large number of samples make honest mistakes. Furthermore, sheer incompetence can never be discounted.
Some lab workers deliberately violate protocols. For example, a chemist for a state crime lab in Massachusetts grouped together samples from different cases that were to be tested. The samples appeared to be similar; so the chemist tested only a few of the samples but certified that all the samples had been tested. She violated other protocols such as forging the initials of evidence officers and removing samples from the evidence locker and postdating entries in the evidence logbook. She also intentionally tainted samples that tested negative for a controlled substance to test positive. Commonwealth v. Scott, 467 Mass. 336, 5 N.E. 3d 530 (Mass. 2014).
Questioning Lab Technician’s Credentials – Lab technicians must have proper credentials and degrees. The defense attorney can question a technician about her education and training. The defense may also subpoena records that verify the technician’s credentials or lack of credentials. The judge may decide to suppress the test results if the technician lacked the appropriate education and training or failed to have the correct certification. Even if the results are admitted as evidence, each juror determines the truth of the case against the defendant. Chipping away at the lab technician’s credibility may not keep the evidence out but still may create a negative impression of the prosecution’s case in a juror’s mind. Skepticism created by raising issues concerning the lab technician can carry over to other parts of the prosecution’s case.
Questioning Maintenance of Testing Equipment – The testing equipment must be properly maintained and calibrated. The defense can request maintenance and calibration records for the lab machines and question the lab personnel about when the machines were calibrated and how they know the machines were correctly calibrated. The lab technician may not concede that the equipment was improperly maintained. However, statements that the technician “assumed” that the equipment was properly maintained may again chip away at the prosecution’s credibility and professionalism.
Hiring a Chemist – If your attorney has concerns about the calibration of the machine, the process used, or the credentials of the expert, you can hire a chemist. The chemist may be able to provide valuable testimony about defects in the chemical analysis as well as insight on how to cross-examine the state’s lab tech.
5. Consider a Diversion Program if One is Available
Some jurisdictions offer diversion programs for defendants charged with possession. On completion of the diversion program, the charges are dropped so you can avoid a criminal record. Typically, you’ll need to participate in drug education and counseling, submit to drug testing, and remain drug-free for the duration of the program, which may last for a year or more. You will also have to pay a fee.
The downside is you may have to plead guilty to the charges so that, if you fail to complete the program requirements, you will not be entitled to a trial and you will be sentenced. Some jurisdictions don’t require a guilty plea but do require you to waive a jury trial.
Eligibility for diversion programs varies by jurisdiction. In some states, only first-time offenders charged with misdemeanors are eligible, while others permit persons charged with more serious offenses or with prior records to participate.
Some people are reluctant to participate in the diversion program because they believe the police overreached and violated proper procedure or conducted an improper search when they were charged. If this is your situation, keep your goal in mind. Participation in a diversion program will preclude you from challenging improper police conduct in a criminal court. However, if your objective is to avoid a drug charge, participation in a diversion program may be your best bet. Consult with an attorney to find out if you are eligible for such a program and what the best choice is for you.
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“They helped me tremendously, I had some extreme charges for my DUI and assault case, they got me the best deal I could get. 1 day jail time. Based on what I couldve spent. They have a great team, they communicate well with you an guide you thru your entire ordeal. Ed Robinson was my lawyer. I highly recommend them!!”
Jesse
“Future First Criminal Law is an excellent firm. They helped me out with a case I had. They are friendly throughout the whole process. They are professional, thorough, and I would definitely recommend them to anybody who’s in need of their services. They also allowed me to set up payment plans which was greatly appreciated. Working with them took a lot of stress, and weight off the whole situation. I just recently had them help me with my set aside as well. Thank you Future First Criminal Law.”
Tyler
“Zach and his team were great! Right away after we spoke to Zach we felt a sense of relief from all of our worries and concerns. Being in a position to find an attorney isn’t always a fun thing to do. Thank you Zach and your entire firm for your constant updates and great communication. You never left us in the dark or wondering when we might have our questions answered. We will certainly refer your firm to anyone we know looking for your services. Thank you, for all your time and efforts for our case.”
Adam
“If I could rate Future First Crimal Law higher I would. After making the dumb mistake of getting a DUI they have been there for me every step of the way. There is nothing worse than going at this alone. You want someone in your corner during this stressful time and no one is better than Zach and his team there. They walk you through everything, keeps records of a what you need to do for the courts and sends it to them, and gets you the best case scenario sentence. Without them the consequences would’ve been much worse so very thankful to the team.”
Zat
“I am so grateful for the service I was given by all the Team of Future First Criminal Law and particularly Attorney ED Robinson, from the Day one of my appearances until the sentencing he was there encouraging me and the Defense he has taken on my behalf has made me more confident and all my stress and Depression was gone, I’m so thanks full for helping me in this terrible situation. I’ll be suggesting you to everyone in my situation. God Bless Future First Criminal Law; God Bless Attorney ED Robinson.”
Celeste
“I would just like to express the life changing help and support I received from the legal team at Future First! The endless hours and resources spent by these legal professionals really made a significant impact on my life. I’m so grateful for the help of the legal system and experts whom treated my case like it was their own. I truly know that they can do the same for you! Thanks again to everyone at Future First, words can’t even begin to express my gratitude for getting me the best possible outcome! Happy holidays. I’m happy to be spending mine with friends and family while continuing to be a contributing member of society.”
Josephine Hallam - Attorney
“Attorney Divelbiss is bright, hard-working, and well-versed in criminal law. His legal writing is superb, and his commitment to his clients is outstanding. He will fight for you and offer you the best defense possible. Additionally, he is a pleasure to work with. I fully endorse this lawyer.”
Arnie
“More than a year ago, I found myself in some serious legal trouble facing the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence. My fiancé, Jackie and I decided we needed a good attorney to help us maneuver through this difficult situation. We are not rich people and we were afraid that we would not be able to find a reliable and reputable firm at a price we could afford. We searched the internet and came across Future First Law Firm. When Jackie saw the high rating and many five star reviews she convinced me to give them a call. After a short conversation with Zach, we were both convinced we had found the right firm. It took over a year and several court appearances but Zach and his team stood by my side through it all and helped me get a great plea. It was a nerve-racking process, but Zach was always patient and ready to address any concerns we had. Thanks to Future First, we are excited about our plans for the future. If you find yourself in a legal mess, I highly recommend hiring Zach and his team.”
Dustin
“This team are absolute rockstars!!! They resolved my legal endeavors in a timely & affordable manner. Not only did they do everything I needed…but they basically took the reins with no inconvenience to myself and were on the ball with every step. I highly recommend their expertise!”
Ryan Renauro - Criminal Defense Attorney
“I can’t say enough good things about Zachary. I have had the privileged to meet him through professional channels and he has helped me out a ton with the knowledge he possesses, his experience, and his kind heart and willingness to go the extra mile to help.”
Danette
“If you’re ever in need of a great defense lawyer, Future First Criminal Law would be a great choice! I loved how down to earth these attorneys are. They took the necessary time to review my case, and I couldn’t have asked for more attentive representation! They also worked w me on a great payment plan!!! Thank you, Zach, and all the fine people that work here!!“
Edward
“I contacted Future First on behalf of my mother who was arrested for a DUI. I was able to explain the situation and share details as soon as I had them. Immediately Future First was able to identify the situation and then begin to walk me and my mom through next steps. From the first call to the end of the court hearing to post court follow-ups, we felt comfortable and informed throughout the process. Thank you Future First for guiding us through a difficult situation!“
Roberto
“My experience hiring Future First Law Firm to fight for me in court is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Also very affordable. I called around multiple Criminal law firms but others just didn’t compare to Zackary and his team. Other law firms charge extremely high prices and didn’t seem to care about my case, they were only interested in the money they would receive. BUT not Zackary and his team! They actually cared enough to ask about what’s the best outcome I would want to get after all set in done. I had multiple DUI charges against me and I told the law firm I really don’t want the interlock in my car, I don’t want to pay high court fees and they really delivered! Future First is worth every penny! They protected my record and I recommend them highly. I was hesitant at first because I never dealt with attorneys but now I’m very happy I chose the right team. The team walks you through everything, makes it very simple to understand, and are always ready to answer your questions. I was asking lots of questions and they answered every single one. That gave me confidence in the team to perform and deliver results. You need to hire the best Attorney to represent you. Zackary and his trusted team is who you need to call!“
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Future First Criminal Law stands as a seasoned team of Lawyers ready to assist with DUI and Criminal charges in the Phoenix Metro area. Discover how our team can be instrumental in navigating through your legal challenges.
If faced with a DUI and/or Criminal case, engaging the services of an experienced DUI/Criminal Lawyer is the initial and vital step. Seasoned Lawyers, like those at Future First Criminal Law, offer the effective defense necessary for a favorable outcome.