A 43-year-old man was taken into custody after an accident that occurred on Aug. 22 on Interstate 10 in Florida. According to authorities, the man’s truck had drifted onto the shoulder of the road near mile marker 19. He then steered left, which caused the car to cross two westbound lanes of traffic.
The man went back to the right, crossed both lanes of traffic again and caused the truck to rotate and fall on its side. When police made contact with the driver, he was charged with possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with DUI, and authorities said that no one was hurt in the single-vehicle crash.
Those who are charged with drug possession may wish to meet with an attorney who may create a defense to the allegations. It may be possible to argue that any illegal substances found in a driver’s vehicle were put there by another person or were in the vehicle when it was purchased from another party. It may also be possible to claim that substances found in a vehicle were placed there against the will of the driver under threat of force or implication of bodily harm.
If successful, it may be possible to have charges dropped or reduced after a trial or through an agreement negotiated with the prosecutor. In some cases, such an agreement may eliminate jail time in favor of probation or community service in exchange for the defendant entering a plea of guilty to a lesser offense. A suspended sentence or drug diversion program may also be available to defendants depending on the facts of the case and their own criminal histories.
