Client was charged with Unlawful Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs, which was a class C felony and carried a possible penalty of up to 5 years in prison. Allegation was that the client was stopped while coming across the Maine border for speeding. During the stop, the Trooper told the client that he could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle and told him he had probable cause to search his car. Trooper searched his car and found marijuana, a scale, baggies and $5,000.00 cash. Prior to trial, we argued that the search was illegal and unsupported by probable cause. DA agreed to dismiss the charges and client admitted to a civil offense of possession of marijuana. Client was a professional and a criminal conviction could have resulted in termination, which in turn would have resulted in being barred from his chosen field of work.
