Can the Police Arrest Me If I am Driving in a vehicle That Contains Marijuana?
As a criminal law legal professional in Fort Lauderdale, I’ve many friends that ask me, “Can the police arrest me in case I am driving in a vehicle which has marijuana?” Although you shouldn’t ever ride in an automobile which contains marijuana, you are able to reduce the chances of yours of being arrested by comprehending the significance of the authorized concept “constructive possession.” The 4th D.C.A. of Florida recently wrote a great analysis on constructive possession in Brinkley v. State, 12 So.3d 311 (Fla. 4th D.C.A., 2009).
To be convicted under Florida Statute 893.13 (Possession of a Controlled Substance), the State must prove beyond a fair question that you had as well as had knowledge of the marijuana. In order to possess means to get private charge of or exercising the proper of ownership, management, or control over the point possessed. Possession might be actual or constructive. Actual possession is a simple concept – in your hand, in a pot inside your hand, on your person, or within prepared reach and in the power of yours. If a person has exclusive possession of a controlled substance, knowledge is inferred. Problems of constructive possession are more complicated, however.
To establish constructive possession of marijuana, the State ought to demonstrate you had (one) dominion as well as command with the marijuana, (two) understanding that the marijuana was within your presence, and (3) understanding of the illicit nature of the marijuana. The most popular issue in contention is whether you’d control and dominion over the marijuana. If the car whereby the marijuana is identified is in joint (no pun intended), rather than your exclusive possession (i.e. you’re the passenger in a car), knowledge of the presence of the controlled substance in the automobile and your ability Delta 8 THC Products to Buy keep control with the controlled substance will not be inferred.
In laymen’s terms, in case you had been foolish enough being seen riding in an automobile in which a bag of marijuana was positioned in plain view of the middle console, the State would still be forced to prove that you had “control” with the marijuana, and not merely “knowledge” of the marijuana. Though not specifically defined, management will be the capability to shoot, use, own, (or perhaps smoke) the marijuana without receiving authorization from somebody better. Mere proximity to the marijuana is not adequate to establish control whenever the marijuana is not in your extraordinary control. Possession could be joint (two or perhaps a lot more people may exercise control of the cannabis) but just if both individuals have control over the marijuana.
To confirm dominion and influence, the authorities are going to have to look at you possessing, concealing, or perhaps inhaling the marijuana and if you’re making any incriminating statements admitting ownership of the marijuana. Notwithstanding the above mentioned factors, the authorities cannot impute the ownership of the marijuana to you simply as you’re in a vehicle that contains marijuana. Thus, do not make any incriminating statements to the authorities with respect to ownership of the marijuana. Irrespective of what the police promise you (i.e. we won’t arrest you in case you admit ownership), do not acknowledge ownership of the marijuana. Also, try to continue to be peaceful – do not make any furtive or quick moves that could lead the police that you are stressed or perhaps attempting to conceal the marijuana. Likewise, don’t smoke the marijuana in the car. It is oftentimes difficult to deny ownership whenever you and the automobile reek of marijuana.
On an aside, in the event you will still decide to operate in a vehicle which contains marijuana, make sure the marijuana is hidden (outside of plain view), preferably in the trunk or even locked compartment. At a minimum, don’t leave the marijuana in plain view of the middle console or even ashtray. Additionally, don’t maintain some paraphernalia (pipe, rolling papers, etc.) on the individual of yours.
Lastly, though the authorities should not arrest you for possession of a controlled substance if they can’t show constructive or actual possession, it doesn’t imply that the authorities won’t arrest you anyways. The police routinely arrest vehicle loads of college students where marijuana is situated within a vehicle, even when they cannot pinpoint who exhibited dominion and control. At that time, it’s essential to contact an experience criminal defense attorney to examine the particular facts of the case of yours and file the correct Motions. Possession of actually 1 gram of marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail as well as twelve months probation and a possible 2 season driver’s license suspension. Don’t plea through the case of yours without speaking to a veteran criminal defense attorney.
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