Recovering Your Reputation

Having to face a criminal drug charge is typically a stressful experience, even when you have a qualified lawyer willing to stand up for your defense. After all, there's no guarantee what the outcome of your case will be until it comes to an end. But you don't have to just sit around and wait to see how well your lawyer fares in court – do some leg work yourself and help your lawyer maximize the chance of a positive outcome for your drug case. Here are a few effective ideas to consider engaging in:

Think about Therapy

Taking steps to work on past problems and ensure ongoing sobriety will help to assure the prosecuting attorney and judge in your case that you are working toward making life changes so that the same mistakes that got you in trouble in the first place aren't repeated in the future. There are a variety of behavioral therapy options available to assist with the treatment process, encourage positive attitude modification, and teach healthy lifestyle skills. Some effective therapy types include:

• Cognitive Therapy – Aids in recognizing and coping with situations that may lead to further drug abuse.
• Multidimensional Therapy – Designed to improve functions within the family unit by addressing influences and pattern recognition of drug abuse.
• Motivational Therapy – Uses positive reinforcement to assist with drug abstinence and influences long-term behavioral changes.

It's important to have your therapist document each meeting for the courts to prove how many sessions you've completed and how your progress has come so far.

Do Some Community Service

Another great way to show your intent on making positive changes in your lifestyle is to do some community service that helps others stay away from drug abuse and dealing. Whether you decide to speak at high schools about your personal experiences, work at a rehabilitation center supporting others who are trying to get sober, or volunteer at a homeless shelter serving food and participating in support groups, you'll find that the experience not only helps prove your commitment to staying clean but it is sure to provide you with a sense of pride, increased self-esteem, and an impressive engagement to add to your resume.

Write a Personal Letter

Your personal insight, experience, and expectations should be clearly stated to the court so they understand your perspective about the overall situation. Writing a personal letter to the judge will give you an opportunity to acknowledge the mistakes you made that resulted in your drug charge, the steps you have taken to make changes in your life, and how past actions as well as your recent changes have affected those who share your life with you. Be as specific as possible in your letter, and don't be afraid to both address your downfalls and outline your strengths so a sense of your overall character shines through.

It's also important to document your future plans so the prosecuting attorney and judge have an understanding of how you'll become a positive asset to your community. The type of job you're looking for and what you are doing to get hired, family growth and maintenance plans, community engagement intentions, and coping mechanisms you plan to use in order to stay away from drugs should all be included in your letter. Don't give a second thought to the letter's length. Instead, focus on the quality, consistency, and insight that's included.

These methods and techniques should be easy to implement and can do a lot to help you stay on track while taking your life in a positive direction once your case has been handled, closed, and left behind in your past. For additional reading on this topic, check out your local law firm's site.