Law enforcement is consistently on the lookout for possible signs of criminal violations. When an officer initiates a traffic stop for any reason and those inside the vehicle are accused of drug crimes, it is imperative to remember that there are rights that can be asserted, regardless of the situation. Since drug crimes can result in harsh penalties, the criminal case will often hinge on evidence. Having legal help to analyze the case, determine whether the evidence was accrued according to the law, and move forward with crafting a legal defense is key.
Three people were arrested after a traffic stop in which the officer found drugs. The incident occurred in the mid-morning at around 11 a.m. According to the officer, the vehicle’s license plate was not registered to the vehicle itself. It was discovered that the plate had been stolen from another vehicle. During the traffic stop, the people in the vehicle were familiar to law enforcement. They were moving in the vehicle in what appeared to be an attempt to hide items.
The 43-year-old driver had had his license canceled to protect the public. During the search, methamphetamine was found in his possession. A K9 unit was called so the dog could search for drugs. More methamphetamine was found. The passengers in the vehicle — a 34-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man — were placed under arrest. The driver faces multiple charges including drug offenses and driver’s license offenses.
New York State treats drug offenses very seriously, but there are different levels to the charges a person might be confronted with. For example, those who are accused of selling drugs and being involved with distribution will face much heftier penalties than those who possess small amounts of drugs. The drugs themselves are also key to the case as marijuana will be treated differently than harder drugs like methamphetamine and heroin. Regardless of the allegations, anyone who is arrested for drug crimes must have a strong criminal defense attorney to help with the case. The investigation and how the evidence was acquired could be called into question. People might not have been aware drugs were present. Calling for legal help is a must and should be done immediately to gauge the charges and plan a defense.