On Sept. 4, a 30-year-old California man was arrested on suspicion of drugged driving and possession of illegal substances in Redwood City. He has three prior DUI convictions.
According to the California Highway Patrol, officers observed a white 2016 Audi stopped on the right shoulder of northbound U.S. Highway 101 at approximately 12 a.m. They further noticed that someone was sitting in the driver’s seat, so they approached the car to check on that person’s condition. When they got close to the car, they allegedly smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.
After speaking to the driver, they determined that he was under the influence of drugs and placed him under arrest. They then searched his car and allegedly found 45 grams of cocaine that had been divided into small bags, 12 pounds of marijuana in clear bags, various bottles of prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia and more than $10,500 in cash.
Drug charges can lead to long prison terms, thousands of dollars in fines and a permanent criminal record. However, a criminal defense attorney could carefully review the case and develop strategies to defeat the accusations and protect a client’s future. For example, if police overstepped their authority during the search that led to the seizure of the drugs, an attorney could work to get the case thrown out of court. The attorney could also negotiate a plea deal with prosecutors that reduces the charges and mitigates the penalties. For instance, it may be possible for a defendant to attend a drug diversion program in lieu of going to jail.
Source: Online Redwood City, “Driver with 3 prior DUIs arrested on suspicion of DUI, possession“, Sept. 4, 2018