Thefts and Assaults Often Consequence of Underlying Drug and/or Alcohol Problem
Normally, when the general public associates drug and alcohol issues with crime, they often associate these types of issues with criminal charges such as Driving Under the Influence or drug possession. However, in reality, thefts and assaults are frequently fueled by an underlying drug or alcohol issue.
From a theft standpoint, individuals overcome by substance abuse will often seek to finance their habit by stealing. Whether the theft involves the taking of merchandise from a store without paying for it or breaking and entering into a home or car to steal personal property of another person, the fruits that these crimes bear translate into real currency. Property taken during theft can either be unloaded at a pawn shop for cash or traded directly with dealers for drugs.
Meanwhile, assaults are often a product of substance abuse. When a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their judgment is impaired. Consequently, good, hardworking people may find themselves facing criminal charges due to impaired decision-making. Many times when people drink, verbal arguments can escalate much more quickly than they would without drugs or alcohol in the equation. This escalation can lead to physical confrontation that, in turn, may lead to police involvement and criminal charges against one or multiple individuals involved in the incident.
Whether a person is charged with a theft or assault as a result of an underlying substance abuse issue, the penalites could be equally significant depending upon the nature and severity of the alleged conduct. To that end, if convicted of an assault or theft, depending on the circumstances, a person could face jail, a loss of firearms privileges, and loss of employment.
If you or someone close to you has been charged with a theft or assault, there are three steps you should take immediately:
1) Contact an attorney who is knowledgable and experienced in defending people charged with thefts and assaults who is an experienced in litigating these cases and working with people who present underlying drug and alcohol issues.
2) Contact a drug and alcohol counselor to obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.
3) Comply with any recommended treatment.
When people find themselves facing criminal charges, they contact me to counsel them through the process. I make a commitment to my clients to provide personalized attention and a strategic approach. I make it my mission to bear the burden that criminal charges present to the people I help. However, people will often ask me: "What can I do to help myself?" If that same person has given me an indication that they may be experiencing issues with drugs and/or alcohol, I tell them to make a personal commitment to themselves and get the treatment that they may need. While I may be able to fix their criminal case, my objective is much greater than that. I want to help the people I work with fix their lives.