A drug possession charge in New Albany can put your job at risk and strain your home life. You will feel better as soon as you talk to us.
When you reach out, your New Albany drug possession lawyer at Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt will handle early calls and court dates so you are not guessing about the next step.
If you want steady help from day one, your New Albany drug crime lawyer will keep you informed and advocate for your rights at each hearing.
How Drug Possession Charges Usually Arise in Ohio
In New Albany, possession cases often start with a routine police contact that turns into a search. Small choices at the curb or inside a building can shape what ends up in the report. Here is where problems most often begin.
Traffic Stops and Vehicle Searches
Many arrests grow out of a stop for speeding or a broken light. An officer may claim to smell marijuana or see something in plain view, then ask to search the car. If that happened to you, write down the reason given for the stop and who was present, so details do not fade later.
Consent matters, and if you give it, you may revoke it at any time. You can also refuse a request to search your car from the beginning, and that choice should be noted if the search goes forward anyway.
Your New Albany criminal defense lawyer from Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt can review body-cam video and the time stamps to test what the officer wrote and whether the search followed the rules.
Possession Cases Linked to Schools or Workplaces
Charges tied to schools or job sites bring extra pressure. Administrators and supervisors often call the police after a locker check or a bag search, and a quick report can become the backbone of a criminal case. Ask for copies of the policy used and the names of the people who handled the items.
Video and access logs help, too. We look for who had keys, who touched the evidence, and when the items changed hands. If procedures were skipped, that can affect what the court allows the jury to hear and how strong the state’s case looks.
Home or Hotel Room Searches
Possession charges can start when officers enter a home or a hotel room during a complaint. They may ask to step inside and look around.
Without a warrant or your consent, they usually cannot search private areas. A landlord cannot say yes for you, and a roommate’s consent typically covers shared spaces only.
Write down exactly where items were found and who had access to that room. Note whether containers were closed and whether an officer opened drawers or bags without permission. If a warrant was used, ask for a copy and record the time it was served. Save emails or receipts showing the room or lease is in your name.
For a free legal consultation with a drug possession lawyer serving New Albany, call (614) 884-1100
Defenses That Challenge How Evidence Was Collected
In many New Albany possession cases, the turning point is how police gathered the evidence. Your defense starts by checking whether each step followed the rules. If officers cut corners, a judge may keep key items out of court.
Here are common problems we look for in these cases:
- Lack of probable cause for the stop
- Invalid or overbroad warrant
- Unlawful search and seizure
- Lack of consent or consent withdrawn
- The scope of the search exceeded the warrant
- Mishandled evidence at the scene
- Chain of custody errors at the lab
- Faulty field tests or lab testing
- Coerced statements after questioning
- Canine sniff used without a lawful basis
These defenses can block the item the state relies on, which can shrink the case or end it. Ohio law under Ohio Rev. Code § 2933.22 sets rules for search warrants tied to controlled substances, and when officers skip required steps, a judge can exclude what was found.
If a stop involves suspected drugged driving, your New Albany DUI lawyer can also challenge how the stop began.
New Albany Drug Possession Lawyer Near Me (614) 884-1100
What to Expect in the Court Process for a Drug Possession Case
After a drug arrest in New Albany, the court process moves in clearly defined steps. Each hearing has a purpose, and early choices can change what comes later.
Here is how it typically unfolds, so you know what to expect next. We will tell you what each date means and what you will be asked to do.
Arraignment and Pretrial Motions
At arraignment, the judge reads the charge. You then enter your plea, most often “not guilty.” The court then sets release terms that may include check-ins or testing, and a date for the next hearing. You will know what to expect before you walk into the courtroom.
Before trial, the defense can ask the court to exclude evidence that was gathered outside the rules. Under Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 12, the judge hears motions that challenge the stop or the scope of a search.
With a drug possession attorney in New Albany from our firm, you can review body-cam video and reports, then decide which issues to raise and when to argue them.
Outcomes From Pleas or Trials
Some cases resolve with a negotiated plea after both sides review the file. Others go to trial when the evidence is disputed or the offer is not fair. If you qualify for diversion, our focus may turn to counseling or community-based terms instead of a conviction.
If a plea is accepted or a verdict is reached, the judge imposes a sentence that fits the level of the charge and your history. Your lawyer will explain what the outcome means for work and housing.
You will also get the next steps to follow once the case is closed. The rules and timing for sealing or expungement are set by Ohio Rev. Code § 2953.32 when the statute allows it.
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Call a Drug Possession Lawyer in New Albany Today
A possession charge can throw your plans off, but you have the right to defend yourself. With your New Albany drug possession attorney at Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt, we will figure out arraignment plans and handle prosecutor calls while you focus on your home and work life.
When you are ready, contact us to arrange a confidential consultation.
CALL OR TEXT (614) 884-1100 OR COMPLETE A FREE CASE EVALUATION FORM