Legal Aide – an app if arrested for personal drug possession

The drug charity Release has produced a free app, called Legal Aide, to help people who are arrested for personal possession of drugs. It is a step-by-step guide on how to deal with a drug possession offence.

This is a guide to your rights, including self-representation, after an arrest for personal possession of drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (‘MDA’). This guide will take you through the process step-by-step and explain all possible outcomes as clearly as possible. The aim is to get the best possible result for you, in your personal situation. This might mean getting a cannabis warning instead of a caution, or getting the case sent back to the police for a caution instead of having to go to court.

The guide and app are aimed at people who accept that they are guilty of the offence of possession of a controlled drug and provides them with information on how to navigate the criminal justice system to get the least punitive penalty possible. The majority of the people who are caught in possession of drugs plead guilty to the offence or admit their guilt in order to get an out of court disposal, for example, a cannabis warning or a caution.

If you have been arrested or charged with the offence of possession, but are not guilty of the offence, then you should call us for advice on 020 7324 2989. You can also call us if you need more help, or aren’t sure about anything in the guide.

Please note that legal advice here only applies to offences committed in England and Wales.

Release is the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. Founded in 1967, Release provides free non-judgmental, specialist advice and information to the public and professionals on issues related to drug use and to drug laws.