Unless you are looking for help, having any sort of unexpected interaction with a police officer can be nerve-wracking. This is especially true if you may be involved in or recently engaged in unlawful behavior.
As soon as police approach someone during a traffic stop or after a call by someone else, they are already on alert. They are looking for any indication that someone has done or is doing something illegal, and if they find any evidence of such behavior, the situation can quickly spiral out of control. In the end, a person could be facing multiple serious criminal charges.
Recently, for instance, a Pennsylvania man was stopped by department store security officers who allegedly witnessed him trying to take $40 worth of apparel without paying. What might have started as a small shoplifting charge quickly grew into much more serious charges when police later conducted a search.
Reports indicate that the officers found methamphetamine, Fentanyl, crack and a painkiller when they searched the man. He was also allegedly carrying needles, the shorts from the store and three scales. Police also learned that there was a warrant out for his arrest for a separate incident.
Instead of facing a single count of retail theft, the man is now facing two felony drug charges and four misdemeanor counts.
This case can serve as an important reminder of how quickly charges and counts can stack up when police conduct a search and find drugs or drug paraphernalia. When this happens, the stakes of conviction can be even higher so it is crucial to consult an attorney to assess the legal options.
This might include challenging an unlawful search, negotiating a plea or calling any witness testimony into question. Even if it is not possible to seek a reduction or dismissal of all the charges someone in a similar situation is facing, it can make a considerable difference to have some reduced or dismissed.