Q: Charged with possession after traffic stop, probation revoked; what are my rights?
I was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for reckless driving. During a search, drugs were found under the driver's seat, but I had no knowledge of them. Both the driver and I were charged with possession and trafficking after the driver refused to claim ownership. I was detained during the search and made statements to law enforcement claiming no knowledge of the drugs. I have not sought legal advice yet and am unsure how to proceed. My probation officer revoked my probation, citing the charges as the reason, even though I haven't been found guilty. What are my legal rights, and how should I handle this situation?
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- Georgia
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- Answered
A:
I want to be straight with you--this isn't something you should be asking questions on the web about and then trying to navigate yourself. This is serious, serious business! Trafficking sentences carry mandatory jail time, and it cannot be suspended-that means the judge HAS to send you to prison if you're convicted.
It sounds like you have some defenses, but you need a trained and experienced attorney to take the wheel from you ASAP. Get yourself a lawyer now-the longer you wait, the higher the risk you take in losing opportunities that an attorney could have taken advantage of, but are now lost because you waited too long...
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