Law enforcement agents, whether they are local police or federal investigators, are always on the lookout for potentially illegal activity. As this blog reported in a previous post, the Baton Rouge Drug Enforcement Agency’s agent in charge reports that there has been an increase in drug use in the Baton Rouge area. This suggests that the DEA and other local law enforcement authorities may be on heightened alert for drug use and be seeking to pursue an increased number of drug charges.
Increased police attention may lead to more search warrants and more traffic stops as police look for drug use and try to catch Louisiana citizens in possession of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia. Police have the authority to make certain stops and request some information from persons on the street or in cars, but their authority is not unlimited, and all persons in the U.S. have the rights not to be subjected to unreasonable searches. Those placed under arrest also have the right to not answer questions. If the police have violated a person’s rights by an illegal search and seizure or other illegal conduct, evidence obtained by the police can be thrown out in a legal proceeding, which can be a significant advantage for the defendant.
The attorneys of Hymel Davis & Petersen are thoroughly familiar with state and federal drug laws and the protections of the U.S. Constitution. The firm’s attorneys can discuss with a client the specifics of a traffic stop or other conduct by police and help determine whether the client’s rights were protected and if not, fight to ensure that the client gets the protection and justice he or she deserves.
For additional information about how the attorneys of Hymel Davis & Petersen may be able to assist someone accused of a drug offense, please visit our webpage.