When a person has been charged with a drug offense, they must ensure that their constitutional rights were not violated. In Wisconsin, a person convicted of a drug offense faces possible jail or prison time, significant fines and mandatory education and treatment. Two Wisconsin men possibly face these consequences after their arrest in Arizona for drug possession.
Two men from Milwaukee, Wisconsin have been arrested for possession of narcotic drugs for sale and possession of marijuana for sale. Police say that the men attempted to send two packages containing more than nine ounces of marijuana and cocaine. The business clerk at a mail desk became suspicious of the packages when the two men entered and exhibited strange behavior. Police say that a drug-sniffing dog was brought to the scene and alerted police to the presence of illegal substances. Police reports state that police obtained a search warrant for the packages, which allegedly contained five ounces of cocaine and four ounces of marijuana. Police believe the suspects intended to ship the drugs to their homes for later sales.
When a person is charged for the commission of a drug offense, they have several defenses that may apply. One potential defense is that the police violated the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. In general, to search for evidence, police officers must have a valid search warrant. If police search property in a way that violates the Fourth Amendment, the evidence may be suppressed and may not be used against the defendant.
When a person is accused and/or convicted of drug charges, they face enduring consequences that may affect their professional and personal lives. To be convicted of a drug charge could even affect a person’s ability to receive financial aid for higher education. Because of these significant repercussions, the two men should receive a fair trial and be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Source: The Daily Courier, ” Pair allegedly tried to mail drugs home,” Lisa Irish, Aug. 21, 2012