Since drugs are viewed as a major issue in Longview and across Texas, law enforcement is heavily engaged in trying to catch and arrest those accused of drug possession, drug dealing or drug trafficking. Drug crimes are believed to be the impetus for other criminal acts, so it is no surprise that police and prosecutors are aggressive in seeking convictions.
For example, a 41-year-old man was arrested for drug crimes in Longview. Law enforcement was called after midnight with reports of a man who was banging on the windows of a house. When they arrived, they checked the man’s SUV to see if he was in the vehicle. A pill bottle was spotted inside the vehicle and there were plastic bags in it. The substance inside turned out to be methamphetamine.
When the man got back to the vehicle, the officers turned on the squad car’s overhead lights and engaged with the man. He refused to give them his keys and then started walking toward the house. He attempted to run and fell over the curb. He was handcuffed and arrested. He faces charges related to the methamphetamine and for possessing ecstasy and marijuana. In addition, he is charged with evading law enforcement.
When a person is arrested on drug charges, there are many important points to remember when thinking about a defense. The search that led to the discovery of the drugs must be conducted according to the law and if there is a deviation or a question as to whether it was legal or not, it can render the evidence as inadmissible and severely damage the prosecution’s case. It might be possible to negotiate a plea bargain to reduce the charges. When there are other allegations along with the drug charges, they can increase the potential penalties significantly, so a defense is crucial to avoid the worst-case scenario.
