For most motorists, being stopped by a police officer is not a major ordeal. Sure, he or she may find it inconvenient, and if a traffic citation results, he or she will likely be upset and might try to fight the ticket later on. But the reality is that a traffic violation is a rather minor offense and one that will likely result in either a warning or fines. But a minor traffic stop could be the source of a major charge, especially if officers believe another crime is occurring, such as a drug crime.
This is what happened recently in Liberty County. According to reports, a Tallahassee man was pulled over by the Florida Highway Patrol. The stop occurred on State Road 20 near Turkey Creek Road. The motorist was stopped for speeding.
During the traffic stop, officers supposedly found the passenger in possession of marijuana. Following a search, it was discovered that the 30-year-old male passenger was in possession of roughly 35 grams of marijuana. This resulted in his arrest and a felony possession charge, as he was found in possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana.
The driver of the vehicle did not face drug charges in connection with this traffic stop. However, the motorist was cited for speeding and driving with a suspended license.
Facing drug charges can be a very difficult situation for defendants. A person could face a drug crime in a variety of circumstances, which makes it important for them to understand their rights and options. Questioning the legality of the stop, search, seizure and arrest could help a defendant reduce and even dismiss the charges against them.
Source: Wctv.tv, “Tallahassee man facing drug charges following traffic stop,” Aubrey Brown, Feb. 27, 2018
