When it comes to stories about drug busts, the focus is typically on the numbers. How many people did the police arrest? How many drugs were involved? How many charges are those involved facing? How many agencies played a role in the bust? In the eyes of law enforcement, the higher the numbers are, the better the news story will be.
However, the people who get caught up in these busts are not numbers; they are people who have rights and legal options.
More than a headline
The bigger the story, the easier it can be to lose sight of the individuals involved. For instance, recently, a story about a cross-country smuggling operation made the news. Details of the 85 arrests highlighted the most egregious charges and allegations.
However, when it comes to these operations, not every person arrested in connection with it are serious offenders. Sometimes, they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Thus, it is essential for anyone caught in these dragnets to talk to a lawyer to protect themselves and ensure they get fair treatment. In the pursuit of making news, police can wind up overcharging or violating individuals’ rights; calling these issues out can protect against wrongful charges and unnecessarily harsh penalties.
Police don’t want their efforts to be wasted
In these operations, law enforcement agencies want their efforts to pay off. They want to prove that putting so many hours and dollars into a bust was worth it. Thus, they might arrest anyone even tangentially involved and often pursue as many charges as possible.
When the charges stack up, the potential penalties a person could face also stack up.
These cases can also involve allegations or statements from someone else involved in the operation looking to minimize their own charges or push the blame onto someone else. Because these accounts may not be accurate, it is crucial to have an attorney who has handled these type of cases and can identify the issues.
Don’t get intimidated
If you or someone you love has been accused of illegal misconduct in light of a drug bust, it can be incredibly intimidating. You might be worried about the number of agencies involved, the amount of charges against you and the potential penalties.
However, legal support can ease your anxiety and help you protect your rights and future by looking beyond the numbers.
