Can a passenger be charged with a crime if a vehicle they weretraveling in was found to contain a large amount of drugs although they knew nothing about them?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can a passenger be charged with a crime if a vehicle they weretraveling in was found to contain a large amount of drugs although they knew nothing about them?

Asked on December 9, 2011 under Criminal Law, California

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Yes, a passenger in a vehicle can be charged with a crime of possession of a controlled substance even though the passenger claims no knowledge of the contraband. Whether or not the prosecution will be able to prove the charge as to the passenger that you are writing about is the reason why cases go to trial.

The trier of fact (judge or jury), will determine if the prosecution has met its burden if proof if the case ends up going to trial. If you have been charged with possession of contraband, I suggest that you retain a criminal defense attorney to represent you.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption