If you’re stopped by a police officer, it is possible that you could be falsely accused of a crime (like possessing drugs in your vehicle). How? Sometimes there are smells that match certain drugs or there are items that suggest you have drugs in your vehicle within plain view. In those cases, an officer may state that they have probable cause to search the vehicle and, in some cases, arrest you.
The unfortunate thing about traffic stops is that they open you up to more than just a speeding ticket or other citation. As soon as you roll down your window, officers can look in and begin looking for signs of drugs, alcohol and paraphernalia. If you have a bag of pills on the passenger seat, for example, the officer may have enough cause to justify investigating further even if those are yours legally.
What should you do if you’re falsely accused of possessing drugs?
If you are falsely accused of possessing drugs while you’re driving, you need to take action to build a strong defense as soon as you can. This may start with talking to your attorney about the facts of the case, such as why you had drugs or if you believe they were planted.
For example, if you use your vehicle to drive others, you may be able to put together a defense to state that anything found in your vehicle wasn’t yours. Or, if you had drugs you obtained with a prescription that weren’t in their prescription box or container, you could present that as evidence to help get the charges against you dropped.
What penalties could you face for drug possession charges?
Drug possession charges can lead to felonies. It’s important that you take action to prevent them, so you can avoid heavy fines and, potentially, time in prison. The exact penalties you could face will depend on the specifics of the allegations and charges, but all possibilities are included in the Nebraska Revised Statutes. To help protect yourself, it’s important to learn more about the laws and to take a strong stance against the charges.