Last month, an Ohio college football player was arrested during a routine traffic stop. Now he faces a drug charge. This is the perfect example of how things can escalate beyond the simple traffic violation in Ohio. Because of this, you, as a driver in Ohio must be familiar with your automobile rights and possible defenses.

In this case, the football player was pulled over for some violation.  The officer proceeded to investigate the matter and learned that the boy had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for shoplifting, in which authorities claim the suspect and another teammate were previously involved.  Furthermore, the police officer claims that the boy was in possession of marijuana during this seemingly minor traffic violation. He was then arrested and authorities have filed drug charges against him. The consequences of these charges were that the boy, the football player, was suspended from play in the first two games of the season.  This was just the beginning.  His reputation has already been damaged and he hadn’t even gotten to court.

If you are pulled over, this should teach you to beware.  The law does not guarantee the same sort of privacy to automobiles that it provides to individuals in their homes. The law permits police officers with the authority to search an individual’s car without a warrant in certain situations. For example, officers may search a car if they are executing an arrest, if they have probable cause to believe that there is evidence of a crime or if the driver consents to a search.

Not every search is permissible under the law, however. The law carves out certain defenses for people who are subject to illegal police tactics. Routine traffic stops often lead to drivers and passengers being subject to additional charges.

The Bottom Line:  Ohio drivers and their passengers should be aware that there is always the possibility of a search and should know the tactics in which police officers can and cannot engage.  A good Criminal Defense Attorney will be able to mitigate any further damage to this young man’s future success.  Put my number in your mobile, I can always be reached:  513-260-2099