Q: My house got raided and they found some wax and butane cans around 6 of them and two pills that weren't mine

A: The answer most lawyers will give when asked a legal question is IT DEPENDS. Unless a lawyer has received all the facts s/he can’t spit out a credible answer. Junk in equals junk out.

Every case is unique, and more information is needed to properly answer your query intelligently. In other words it is usually both case and client specific. Does the client have a record? For what? How long ago?

I would initially caution you NOT to discuss your case on an open forum like this. You should also not discuss it on any social media.

It is always a good idea to contact a lawyer local to you, that handles these types of cases in the court where you would have to appear. Many lawyers do not charge a consultation fee.

Most DUI and Accident lawyers will offer a free consultation to review the facts. For other areas of law, many lawyers will bill for a consultation. Try to get a local legal consultation.

In other words, I am in Palm Springs and you don’t want to hire a Palm Springs lawyer for an LA case. In those cases, I usually try to refer the potential client to a lawyer more proximate to where this happened.

On a criminal matter, please remember the court will appoint a court-appointed lawyer for you. That lawyer will have all the evidence in front of him/her and be in a better position to provide an intelligent answer.

For a criminal case, success may depend on how the evidence was obtained and the details regarding the stop and arrest, as well as a review of the facts of your case. A lawyer can't promise success any more than a brain surgeon can before surgery.

If you need help finding a good lawyer and are in a position to retain a private lawyer, please contact me and I will give you some names. Remember they are charging you with POSSESSION not ownership.

Good Luck

A: Hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who specializes in illegal searches and seizures. Unless the police had a search warrant issued by a Judge, the evidence they collected from your home might be able to be suppressed (prosecutor can't use any of it as evidence).

Also, since you were take into custody, a Miranda warning should have been given (you have the right to remain silent, have an attorney present when questioned, etc.) so your written "confession" the next day also might be able to be suppressed.

You may be charged not only with possession of the wax and pills but MANUFACTURING which is a felony and significant jail time (years) can be imposed. If you have prior drug offenses related convictions, you could be sentenced to serve the time in state prison.

Do you yourself a favor. Don't rely on a PD (Public Defender). They're overworked, have huge caseloads and won't able able to devote the time to handle your case the way a private criminal defense attorney would.