Did police find drugs in your car?

Drug possession is a serious crime that has the potential to impact your life in a variety of ways, including time in prison.

If a police officer found drugs in your car, thus resulting in your arrest and criminal charges, there’s something to remember: You can still avoid a conviction.

As you review your case in an attempt to settle on the best defense strategy, here are three questions you should answer:

  • Did the officer have probable cause to stop your vehicle?
  • What was the officer’s reason for searching your vehicle?
  • Where were the drugs located when the officer found them? In plain view? In the trunk?

Depending on the answers to these questions, you may have a clear idea of how to proceed. For example, if the officer didn’t have probable cause to stop and/or search your vehicle, you may be able to use this to have your charges dismissed.

What are the consequences of a conviction?

This depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

  • Whether you were using the drugs for personal use or selling them to others
  • The type and amount of drug
  • Criminal history, such as if you’ve been convicted of the same crime in the past

If police find drugs in your car, you’ll soon find yourself under arrest. While this is stressful on many fronts, don’t say anything and don’t resist arrest. You don’t want to do anything that can be used against you in court.

From there, you can learn more about your charges and the steps you can take to best defend yourself.