Why are we hearing so much about Fentanyl in the news? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.  The drug binds receptors in the brain that control pain and emotions. It can cause extreme happiness, drowsiness, confusion, sedation, problems breathing, and unconsciousness.  It works quickly and the effects have a short duration. Because of the potency, fentanyl can be addictive and even those who follow doctor guidelines can develop a dependency. When the brain adapts to the drug, it becomes harder to feel pleasure from anything besides the dru ..read more

The knock of a police officer is nearly impossible to mistake. It is loud and deliberate with a feeling of little patience on the other side. After you have gathered yourself and begin to deal with what is happening, you have to decide what to do next. Make no mistake, if the officers have a warrant they will not knock and wait long for you to open the door. With a warrant in hand, law enforcement is coming in your home whether you like it or not. What Now? If the officers at your door are not flashing a warrant and telling you they are coming in, you need to know you are in charge of what hap ..read more

The Fourth Amendment covers the area of search and seizure. If you are accused of possessing drugs or selling them to others, a strong defense is necessary. Knowing rules surrounding searches can make all the difference in your case. Knowledge about the Fourth Amendment and what it means may provide protection from unwarranted searches and seizures. Were you aware that the government needs to have a legal search warrant to search? However, there are exceptions, such as, if the police see drugs, weapons, guns or other illegal contraband in plain view. A few other exceptions are if the officer d ..read more

What if the drugs found in your car are not yours? It is common for police to ask to search a vehicle during a stop. It may be your first instinct to say yes because you know that you have nothing to hide. However, this could be a mistake that may lead to your arrest and an incredibly stressful trip to the county jail. Believe it or not you can be arrested if police find someone else’s drugs in your car. Just because it is in your vehicle an officer may have probable cause to arrest you. Sometimes police find drugs that obviously belong to the person they are dealing with. If drugs are found i ..read more

What NOT to say during a DUI traffic stop Believe it or not, a police officer may have reasonable suspicion that a person is under the influence of alcohol even when they are completely sober. If you are distracted with the radio, a phone, or a child in the backseat and are swerving all over the road; an officer may have reason to believe something is wrong. If you end up face to face with a law enforcement officer during a DUI traffic stop you still have rights. Just because you may have been drinking does not mean an officer has the right to do whatever they want. However, it is a tricky ba ..read more

A DUI case normally starts when a law enforcement officer makes the decision to pull someone over. Any analysis of a DUI case should start by looking at whether an officer had a valid basis to make the traffic stop in the first place. It is important to note that the standard requirement for stopping someone on the roadway is far lower than what is necessary to make an arrest. An experienced criminal defense lawyer should be consulted to analyze your situation. REASONABLE SUSPICION An officer must have reasonable suspicion that a crime is occurring before they conduct a traffic stop. Reasonab ..read more