While it is obviously not a traffic offense, people are often charged with drug possession after they are pulled over by the police for a traffic infraction. Here is how it typically happens. A person is pulled over for a traffic violation, like speeding, and the officer comes up to ask for license and registration. While standing at the window, the officer either sees drugs or drug paraphernalia sitting in the open, or smells an odor, such a marijuana, that tips them off as to the presence of drugs in the car. This gives them the ability to search the person and/or the car for the presence of any drugs or any drug paraphernalia. When they find the drugs, they will charge the person with possessing the drugs.
This is a relatively common occurrence. When this happens you may have some options to prevent a conviction for drug possession on your record. For instance, if you possess one-half ounce or less of marijuana, you may be eligible to take a drug education class and have your charges dropped. This may be a good option for a person who does not have an established criminal record, and who wants to keep their record clear of convictions for employment and other purposes. While some drugs may be legalized in the future, and social acceptance of some drug use is on the rise, for now you have to protect your record from any drug convictions.
Needless to say, if you have a charge for drug possession whether related to or not related to a traffic stop, our law firm would be glad to help. We would be honored if you would choose our firm to represent you. We do not limit our practice to just traffic tickets, but are here to represent you for DWIs, drug possession, and other criminal cases. We pride ourselves on our ready availability to our clients.
