Two of the most urgent social problems plaguing Los Angeles are homelessness and drug crimes. As one of the largest homeless populations in the United States, the city has been meetup of these issues, with many people fighting both homelessness and substance abuse. For people confronting drug charges stemming from their homelessness, moving through the legal system can be intimidating. But Los Angeles Defense attorneys are fighting back, providing customized legal defence strategies, putting individuals in the best position to succeed in the most complicated cases.
In this article, we discuss ways Drug Crime Defence Lawyers handle cases where substance abuse is tied to homelessness, how these cases are complicated and how a compassionate drug crime defence attorney can help.
Homelessness and drug use are the matches of our lives, and the unfortunate victors become lost souls on our streets. Addiction, mental health struggles, and lack of resources disproportionately affect the homeless in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) estimates that a significant percentage of the homeless population struggles with substance use disorders, which can lead to criminal activity such as drug possession and even drug trafficking.
A qualified Los Angeles Criminal Attorney knows how to create a defence strategy that takes into account both your homelessness and having a history of drugs. Here are some ways Criminal Defence Lawyers in LA customize their strategy in these cases:
Homeless people are often subject to police scrutiny and surveillance, and even arrested for the crime of being homeless sometimes as the result of illegal searches or racial profiling. Possession defence lawyers in these situations will try to prove that the search was done without proper cause or that a warrant was not obtained. By challenging the legality of an arrest, lawyers can argue that evidence obtained in the process be tossed from the court, and they might successfully prosecute the charges.
Drug crimes performed by homeless people are often directly linked to addiction. Drug Crime Defence Attorneys may argue that a person's criminal conduct stemmed from substance abuse rather than intent to harm. In such instances, the defense could seek alternatives to incarceration like rehabilitation programs, drug treatment or mental health counseling.
A drug trafficking lawyer may push for diversion programs that provide individuals with treatment rather than prison time since they have not solved the reason for their criminal activity.
People living on the streets caught up on drug charges might qualify for lowered penalties under compassionate sentencing. Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer rather than jail or prison time; there are options like community service, probation, or drug court. These alternatives prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, recognizing that homelessness and addiction often intersect in such a way that traditional punitive measures are counterproductive.
A criminal lawyer LA could contend that more humane and effective methods of sentencing that target an individual’s underlying problems could deter the individual from crime in the future.
In some instances, a drug charges defence may seek to have the charges thrown out due to the position the defendant was in. Such as The person has made a good faith effort to rehabilitate, or: The person is in a vulnerable position, which is why a defence attorney could make an argument of, Be lenient, or: Dismiss charges on compassionate grounds. Such strategies will often highlight those mitigating factors, whether it be mental health issues or the person’s pledge to get clean.
David was a homeless man, arrested in a public park for possession of methamphetamine. A Los Angeles Defense Attorney. The arrest came after an officer searched his belongings in a public space, even though David exhibited no outward signs of any criminal conduct. The lawyer challenged that search which wasn’t the first by the FBI arguing that it violated his Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. The officer was found to have a history of targeting the homeless, and his charges were dropped after an extensive investigation. Police bias and wrongful arrests — they are the reasons that we have Criminal Defence Lawyers and this case has so much to teach us.
Linda is a homeless woman with a history of heroin addiction who was arrested for drug possession while living on the streets. Her Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney successfully argued that her actions were due to her substance abuse addiction and that jail time would not cure her. Linda would not go to jail, but would instead go to a drug treatment program supervised by the court. Since that time, this diversion program has given her the assistance she required to start the road to recovery while also helping her avoid the powerful and devastating effect that a criminal conviction can have on her life.
A drug charges defence lawyer plays a huge role in making sure homeless people are not given a hard time by the law. Without adequate representation, lives ruined by long prison terms, a permanent criminal record making it almost impossible to get work, chronic drug abuse, and homelessness.
Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers are familiar with the complexities of these cases and are able to provide sensitive, comprehensive defence options tailored to the needs of the individual. Through fighting illegal searches, advocating for treatment rather than incarceration, through asking for mercy on behalf of their clients — these lawyers are trying to do the best they can in a bad situation.
If you or someone you love is facing Los Angeles drug charges arising from homelessness or substance abuse, you want an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Attorney who knows what makes these cases so different. Alimour Law will work to ensure each of those arrested will receive just representation and reasonable solutions to the drug problems in the homeless community.
Call us for a consultation with our experienced drug crime defence attorneys. We're here to help you understand the legal process, discover alternatives to custodial sentences and safeguard your rights. Our team is here to help you get the best possible resolution for your case, whether the charges are related to drug possession, drug trafficking, or other drug crimes.
Contact us today to get the professional legal help you require to start moving on with your life. We are here to provide the assistance and legal protection that you are entitled to.