If police obtain an arrest warrant for a person suspected of a crime, authorities may detain the suspect lawfully once the person is located. While in many cases such arrests happen peacefully, a recent arrest in Florida has apparently led to additional allegations — including serious drug charges.
Florida police arrested a 23-year-old man on an outstanding warrant for a felony assault charge filed in Alabama, and he ended up with additional drug charges. When he was arrested, the police allegedly found 6.3 grams of methamphetamine, a glass pipe and about $4,200 in cash in his left front pants pocket. As a result, he has been charged in Florida with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence, in addition to the standing charge in Alabama.
In Florida, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell is a second-degree felony that involves punishment of not more than 15 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence are both first-degree misdemeanors, punishable by not more than one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
Considering the potentially serious consequences of these drug charges and the importance of establishing the facts in such cases, an accused individual should not overlook the value of legal counsel. It is important to determine whether police acted appropriately without violating a defendant’s rights.
In most cases, it is also necessary to negotiate with the prosecutor to try to reach an agreeable plea deal. This may be particularly important in situations in which the defendant is already wanted for other unrelated charges. Under those circumstances, an arresting officer’s bias may be a factor in construing the facts of the case.
Source: northescambia.com, “Wanted Flomaton Man Busted For Drugs, Resisting Arrest In Florida,” May 22, 2012
