Traffic stops might seem fairly routine, but it is not uncommon for drivers to end up facing serious criminal charges. This was one Illinois man’s recent experience when he was pulled over by police and then arrested for drug crimes. A judge set his bond at $50,000, although he would only need to come up with $5,000 in cash to secure his release. At last update he was still in police custody.
On Dec. 19, 2019 shortly after midnight, police officers say they noticed a vehicle with an expired registration. One of the deputies claims that he smelled what he believed to be raw cannabis when speaking with the 35-year-old driver. He then decided that the scent was justification for probable cause and the deputies conducted a search of the vehicle.
They say that the search turned up multiple illicit substances, including approximately 23 grams of the cannabis that the deputy smelled. Deputies say they also found around 27 grams of methamphetamine and 10 hydrocodone tablets. The driver was arrested and charged with multiple offenses for both possession as well as possession with the intent to distribute. He was also cited for driving on a suspended license, an expired registration and without insurance.
Illinois state law treats drug crimes seriously, so defendants must be prepared when facing related charges. This may include familiarizing one’s self with the situation by carefully reviewing all charges and related evidence. This may help a defendant decide whether he or she should fight the charges to the fullest extent during criminal court proceedings, or seek to negotiate a plea deal for lesser charges with less severe consequences.