The Ongoing Crackdown on Drug Possession in North Carolina
Posted by Josh Valentine | Jan 22, 2018
While some states are fighting to decriminalize some drug use, North Carolina is doubling down on its war on drugs. In 2017, thousands of people in North Carolina were arrested on drug possession charges. Most of these arrests were made as part of various County-oriented drug crackdown operations across the state. Through these operations, the police are taking a strong stance against drug use and possession.
Drug and Opioid Crisis in North Carolina
Why has North Carolina put so much time, effort, and money into drug crackdown programs? The recent spike in drug-related deaths is the primary catalyst. Statistics show that opioid use was responsible for more than 1,100 deaths in 2015. This amounted to a 73 percent jump from the number of deaths a decade ago. Research also indicates that North Carolina is home to some of the most drug-riddled cities in the country. Wilmington ranks as the most drug-affected city in the country, and at least three other North Carolina towns rank in the top 20. North Carolina's crackdown on drug possession is a direct response to these unsettling figures.
Using Drug Possession Arrests to Gather Information
The primary goal of drug crackdown operations is to find mid-to-high level drug dealers across the state. It can take months for police to investigate a drug trafficking and distribution ring. Arresting individuals on relatively minor drug possession charges can help to accelerate the investigation.
When you are arrested on drug possession charges, police may try to elicit information from you in exchange for a lesser sentence. They may tell you that they will reduce or drop the drug possession charges if you tell them where you purchased the drugs, who you bought them from, and any other information that may be relevant to their investigation.
Should you provide information about your crime in exchange for a potentially lighter sentence? While the thought of trading information for leniency may be appealing, you should not make any deals with police unless you have consulted with an attorney. Police can manipulate a stressful situation, get you to divulge helpful information, and then refuse to follow through on their promises. In other cases, police may not even have a substantial case against you. They may know that evidence against you was obtained illegally or simply exaggerate about the seriousness of the current situation. Having a criminal defense attorney review and handle your case is the only way to make sure that you achieve the best possible outcome. So, unless you are proceeding on the advice of an attorney, you should remain silent when questioned by police.
Experienced North Carolina Drug Possession Defense Attorneys
Drug possession charges in North Carolina are incredibly serious. While the specific charge will depend on the type of drug and the amount you have in your possession, a conviction will be devastating, nonetheless. If you are facing drug possession charges in North Carolina, it is incredibly important to speak with an attorney. At Caulder & Valentine, our skilled criminal defense lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case, make sure that your rights have not been violated, and fight to get the best outcome in your case. Your chances of success increase when you hire an attorney, so call us today to schedule a consultation.
Josh Valentine
You could say Josh has a God-given ability for sustaining long-term relationships. He and his wife first met in elementary school and went to Gardner Webb University (GWU) together, where they tied for number 1 in their class. Then, they both started law school on the same day of their graduation and got married during their first semester. He has also known his law partner Blake Caulder since Kindergarten. Theirs is the perfect partnership. "He's the brake; I am the accelerator," Josh says. Both Josh and his wife attended an innovative program at Charlotte Law School that allowed them to complete law school in two years instead of the typical three. His wife graduated and passed the North Carolina bar at age 20, becoming one of the youngest attorneys in the state. He readily admits she's smarter than him. Of course, Josh went on to pass the North Carolina State Bar himself and later the South Carolina State Bar. While in school, he was Associate Editor of the Law Review and received accolades like Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society membership, Order of the Crown, Pro Bono Honors, CALI Awards (highest grade). In his career as a lawyer, he has been admitted to the United States Federal Court for the Western District of North Carolina, is a member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys, and completed training for DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Josh has also been named to the Top 40 Under 40 for Criminal Defense by The National Trial Lawyers, the Business North Carolina 2019 Legal Elite for Criminal Defense, and the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys three years in a row (2016, 2017, and 2018). Community involvement has been important to Josh all his life. In high school, he participated in building a Holocaust museum that has become internationally regarded. He and his wife are actively engaged in animal rescue, which currently means seven cats and two kittens. He served in prison ministry and assisted with fundraiser banquets there, and he provides pro bono and reduced fee legal services to those in need. As if all of that weren't enough, Josh also mentors high risk youth and helps with his church's youth group. He participates in other community volunteer projects involving construction, remodeling, drywall, painting, and landscaping. He's an active student of the Bible and has traveled to Israel, Brazil, and Europe for mission work. No one can say Josh isn't a well-rounded individual. In his spare time, he likes to play softball, basketball, and tennis, and he can play the piano and trombone. Sometimes on weekends, believe it or not, he enjoys pouring and finishing concrete with friends who own a concrete and grading business. In his law practice, Josh has made it a point to develop positive relationships with officers, clerks, and district attorneys, which has proven invaluable in delivering positive results for his clients. It's important to him to both listen to his clients and fight for them. Law enforcement officers have important responsibilities to keep our communities safe and uphold the law, but one of the responsibilities of attorneys is to make sure officers do their job correctly. Josh considers it his job to hold them accountable for their actions. Josh is a person of deep faith. He knows that the established order of our universe and strength of America's Judeo-Christian influenced court system is built on God's word. His passion to serve each client with innovation, excellence and integrity is a byproduct of his faith. When asked why he became a lawyer, Josh says, "All through my life, I have personally witnessed family members and very close friends endure divorce, child custody battles, bankruptcy, civil lawsuits, and even fraudulent criminal accusations. I both saw and experienced the stress such events can place on an individual, and I realized that everyone, at some point in their life, needs hope, comfort, and encouragement. In each one of those situations, the person who was best situated to provide that vital support was their lawyer. So that's why I became an attorney. I understand what you are going through, and I'm here to help you. Our office is focused on meeting your needs and guiding you through what may be the most difficult time of your life." Education: Charlotte School of Law J.D., Magna Cum Laude Class Rank – 21 of 328 Associate Editor of Charlotte School of Law Law Review Certification and Concentration in Employment Law Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society Order of the Crown Pro Bono Honors CALI Awards (Highest Grade)—Lawyering Process I and Contracts I Full Scholarship Gardner-Webb University B.S. in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude Distinguished Senior Student Award – Highest GPA Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honorary Society Bar Admissions: North Carolina State Bar