With a traffic stop in Upstate New York, those who are in the vehicle must be aware that they can face multiple charges if they refuse to cooperate with the officer. If they decide not to cooperate, the situation can quickly escalate and go beyond what the original charges might have been. Resisting arrest, assault, fleeing the scene and more can pile on top of what the initial issue was. Perhaps it was driving under the influence or being in possession of drugs. Those who find themselves confronted with a multitude of criminal accusations after a traffic stop must be cognizant of the long-term consequences if there is a criminal conviction and plan a strong defense.
A 24-year-old passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by law enforcement was arrested after he attacked the officer as a drug possession investigation took place. According to police, the vehicle was stopped after the driver committed traffic violations. As the officer investigated, he stated that he saw the passenger with heroin and hypodermic needles in his possession. The man attempted to hide the items to stop the officer from taking them. The man proceeded to attack the officer.
As they fought, the officer used a taser on the man to subdue him. The man then tried to take the taser. Other officers from different areas arrived to assist the first officer. The man was eventually arrested. Both the officer and the man were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their injuries were said to be minor. The driver of the vehicle was ticketed and released. The passenger was taken to jail. He faces charges of felony second-degree assault, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest and drug possession.
With violent crimes, the details tend to make it sound as if the suspect is automatically guilty to the degree that a defense is almost pointless. This is never true. Everyone deserves a strong defense, especially with more serious accusations such as assaulting a police officer. The entire case must be investigated from the suspect’s perspective. This includes the traffic stop itself, the circumstances under which the alleged crimes were committed and if there were any extenuating circumstances. For someone who has drug problems, perhaps it might be possible to have treatment as part of the sentence or a plea bargain. No matter what, it is essential to have a legal professional who understands how to defend against violent crimes to prepare for a defense.
Source: dailyfreeman.com, “Greene County man attacked officer after traffic stop, police say,” May 11, 2018
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