A 21-year-old man was arrested on drug charges in a traffic stop in Prince Frederick on Jan. 22. A local sheriff stopped a car near Sixes Road and Grays Road and found a man from Accokeek behind the wheel. The man provided his information, and the sheriff stated that he recognized a scent of marijuana coming from the car.
The man behind the wheel was found to have an active warrant in Montgomery County, and he was arrested and booked at the Calvert County Detention Center. The driver was searched, and police claim that they found a 20-gram plastic bag of marijuana in his clothes and later found another plastic bag containing 10 grams of cannabis.
He was charged with possession of marijuana in the amount of more than 10 grams as well as possession of a controlled substance while detained. This later charge was applied because the cannabis was allegedly found in the man’s possession during the search at the detention center.
For people in Maryland who are facing allegations of drug charges, it can be particularly important to work with a criminal defense attorney. A lawyer may be able to provide a strong defense to allegations of the prosecution by challenging invalid searches, improperly collected evidence and excessive charges.
In a case like this one, a lawyer might challenge the validity of the initial traffic stop as well as the choice to charge the man with possession of a controlled substance while detained. The second charge generally applies to the trafficking of drugs inside a prison, not to people being searched after being booked upon arrest. A criminal defense attorney may work to reduce charges and divert penalties away from heavier felony convictions and prison time toward misdemeanor charges and alternative sentencing options like treatment, drug classes and diversion.