One common circumstance that leads to criminal charges in New York is a traffic stop. Typically, an officer pulls a driver over due to a traffic violation, and during the traffic stop the police officer presumably uncovers evidence that makes them reasonably suspicious that the driver or one of the passengers might have committed another crime. This could lead to a subsequent search of the driver, passengers in the vehicle and even the vehicle itself. If officers uncover items such as drugs or drug paraphernalia, this could result in drug charges on top of the traffic violation the driver was stopped for.
New York authorities recently arrested a 24-year-old Pound Ridge man for criminal drug possession following a traffic stop. According to preliminary reports, police officers stopped the driver on State Route 22 for driving a vehicle with a loud exhaust. The traffic stop led to a subsequent investigation, which resulted in the officers allegedly finding the 24-year-old in possession of marijuana, concentrated cannabis and cocaine.
The driver was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 5th degree, which is a Class D Felony, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree, which is a class A Misdemeanor and the unlawful possession of marijuana, which is a violation.
Further details surrounding the traffic stop and the investigation subsequent to the traffic stop were not provided in the initial reports. Such details and circumstances are important in the defense against all or any of these drug charges. During a traffic stop, police officers are required to meet certain standards when conducting an investigation. If evidence was not properly collected, a defendant could have it suppressed. This could help a defendant with reducing or dismissing the charges.
Anytime an individual is charged with a crime, it is important to consider the defense options that may be available. If a New York resident faces multiple charges, a felony, misdemeanor or a traffic violation, it is important that the rights of the defendant were upheld throughout the process.
Source: Patch.com, “Pound Ridge Man Charged after Traffic Stop in Southeast,” Lanning Taliaferro, March 8, 2016
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