A man was arrested in another state after police say he sent a text message
to a 13-year-old boy, asking him if he wanted to buy drugs. The teen reportedly
told a police officer at his school. Authorities say they then set up
an undercover officer to buy drugs from the man. The man was arrested
and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

When people are arrested, they still have rights. It is often assumed by
the public that when a person is arrested, they are automatically guilty.
Having an experienced criminal defense attorney can help ensure a person
understands their rights and that those rights are protected throughout
the legal process. It isn’t clear if the man’s rights were violated
in this case, but this is one thing that a criminal defense attorney can
help determine.

If police set a person up for unlawful activity, they risk violating procedures
and laws. Sometimes police say or do things during an arrest or investigation
that violates the rights of the person that they will later accuse of
a crime. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help a person evaluate
how they were treated to determine if their rights were violated. A violation
of a person’s rights could lead to some evidence or charges being
thrown out.

While each situation is different when a person is arrested in New Jersey,
it is important that they understand their rights and work to form a rigorous
criminal defense. They can help protect their reputation and hopefully
prevent a conviction that could do harm to their personal and professional lives.

Source: Associated Press, “Errant text message leads to drug arrest in Idaho,” March 7, 2013

-Our law firm handles drug crime cases in New Jersey. Please visit our
website to learn more.