Child protective services in New York recently put a 3-year-old child into relatives’ care after her mother was taken into custody. New York State Police says the girl played an important role in her mother’s arrest. The arrest and subsequent drug charges took place during a traffic stop on a recent Thursday afternoon.
Troopers allege they observed the suspicious behavior of two occupants of a car and pulled the vehicle over. An incident report indicates that the odor of burning marijuana was evident immediately upon the occupants of the car opening the window. Reportedly, as one officer questioned the 26-year-old driver and the 33-year-old mother of the child in the front passenger seat, another trooper checked on the welfare of an unsecured toddler in the back seat.
The officer who checked on the child claims the little girl retrieved a pouch from below the front seat and proceeded to open it and reveal the contents to the trooper. The pouch allegedly contained a marijuana grinder and a pipe containing weed remnants. Furthermore, they claim to have retrieved the butts of marijuana cigarettes in an ashtray in the car. Both the mother of the child and her friend are facing child-endangerment charges, and the driver was also charged with marijuana possession.
Anyone in New York who faces drug charges will likely recognize the impact that a conviction may have on his or her future. This is where the skills of an experienced criminal defense attorney can be invaluable. Retaining the services of legal counsel as soon as possible is essential for the protection of a defendant’s rights. The attorney can assess the charges and the evidence that is available before suggesting the most appropriate way to proceed. The lawyer will seek the most favorable outcome under the circumstances.
