A drug arrest is the first step to a more serious charge and possible conviction for drug possession. A drug arrest can lead to a misdemeanor for marijuana possession or a felony for harder drugs. How your arrest is handled can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your case.
Drug arrests in Spartanburg often begin as traffic stops or other routine arrests. If you are arrested for drug possession, you need legal representation from a drug attorney who knows the law and can help you fight the charges from the outset.
A Spartanburg drug arrest can happen in several ways. The most common is after a traffic stop or other interaction with police, when a routine search reveals narcotics. Police may also arrive at your home with a search warrant empowering them to look for drugs on your property or on your person.
During a traffic stop, police may ask if they can search your vehicle. Unless they have probable cause, they may not search without your consent. Probable cause means:
Police can also search after you have been arrested. This is called an inventory search and may be done after you are taken to the police station. If police believe you may destroy any evidence inside the car, police can claim exigent circumstances and perform a search to find anything you might have hidden or destroyed.
If you’ve been stopped for another traffic offense and the officer has written your citation, you are free to leave. You do not have to let them search. Politely ask if you are free to leave. If they say no, ask if you are under arrest.
Police may detain you and call a K9 or drug-sniffing dog. At this point, you should say, “I do not consent to a search, and I will not answer questions without an attorney.” If you do not, the police may say you consented to the search, and you cannot challenge the results later. If you did not consent and were not under arrest, a Spartanburg lawyer can challenge the drug search and possibly have the evidence thrown out of court.
After a drug arrest and search, you may be booked into jail. You should call an attorney at Ellis Hinton LLC as soon as possible. Our defense attorneys can help you arrange bail, understand your charges, and explain whether a plea bargain will help or hurt you.
You have the right to an attorney during all phases of a criminal case. After a drug arrest in Spartanburg, you need experienced legal help to avoid making any admissions that could harm your chances for a good outcome. We are based in Greenville, but we service South Carolina and beyond. No matter what the circumstances of your case are, we can provide you with a solid legal defense in your case. Call today for a free and confidential consultation.
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