The serious consequences that can result from drug charges require immediate intervention from a criminal defense attorney who knows how to protect your rights and negotiate the best possible result according to the facts and applicable law. Don't delay. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney.
Learn More About Drug Charges
My name is Howard Bass, of the Bass Law Firm, PLLC, in Burnsville, Minnesota. I have over 25 years of experience representing people charged with state and federal drug crimes, ranging from petty misdemeanor to misdemeanor to felony offenses, throughout the Twin Cities. For more details about how I handle these cases, please visit my drug crimes page.
I have provided some general information below to educate you about how the law applies in drug charge cases. For answers regarding your specific situation, contact me to arrange a free initial consultation.
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At the Bass Law Firm, PLLC, I aggressively defend people charged with drug crimes. When you retain me as your lawyer, rest assured I will examine all aspects of your criminal investigation and arrest in order to build the best defense possible for your situation.
If you have been charged with a drug crime, you need an experienced, aggressive attorney on your side. Contact me online or call my office locally at 952-466-6718 or toll free at 888-340-9617.
I offer free initial consultations, accept credit cards and am conveniently located on County Road 42 in Burnsville, just three miles west of highways 35W and 35E. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request.
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 Bass Law Firm, PLLC in Burnsville, Minnesota 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 Bass Law Firm, PLLC in Burnsville, Minnesota for help in understanding the alternatives available to you.
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