When facing allegations of drug crimes, Nebraska residents can understandably be concerned about what the future holds for them. The criminal defense process can seem overwhelming yet it is an important one because it allows defendants the chance to avoid black-and-white applications of the law. Things likeplea bargains may be able to help result in sentences that are lower than they might otherwise be, for example.
A case involving a man recently sentenced in a U.S. District Court in Lincoln provides a real-life example of this. The defendant is said to have entered a guilty plea for three different charges including charges related to the possession of drugs. Reports indicate that mushrooms, pot and a large sum of cash were located at his residence. In addition, he was acquitted on another charge related to the possession of a weapon also said to be found at his home.
The prosecution requested that the judge order the man to spend 57 months behind bars. In the end, the defendant was sentenced to 30 months in prison to start in January of 2017. In addition, he will serve a suspended release sentence lasting 36 months. In making his decision, the judge is said to have considered not only the defendant's prior drug addiction history and convictions but also severe trauma that he experienced many years before.
After being arrested and charged with drug crimes in Nebraska, people may find it helpful to talk with an attorney so that they can understand their options for a defense.
Source: Lincoln Journal Star, "Judge sentences G.I. man who found Matthew Shepard on gun, drug charges," Lori Pilger, Nov. 19, 2016