Attorney Chip Siegel Helped Client Get Drug Case Dismissed

Nov. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Las Vegas criminal defense attorney Chip Siegel was recently able to help a client receive a dismissal for drug charges that would have forced the defendant to serve time in prison if he was convicted. The judge dismissed the case after the attorney effectively demonstrated in an evidentiary hearing that law enforcement did not have enough of a legal basis to search the client’s automobile. The hearing for the case (State v. Derrick Searcy, case 11F02013X) was held on Oct. 1 in Las Vegas Justice Court 5.

The attorney’s client had been charged for transporting drugs and for drug possession with the intent to sell. Because this was the client’s second offense, he was subject to a mandatory prison sentence. Drug possession with the intent to sell is a more serious crime than simple drug possession because it involves the offender carrying larger amounts of the drug in his or her possession. A conviction for this charge in Nevada can potentially lead to years in prison and very expensive fines, which are penalties that can become even harsher upon a second or subsequent offense.

Mr. Siegel was able to protect his clients from the life-altering effects of a conviction and protect the individual rights by addressing the issue related to search and seizure procedures. The Constitution’s 4th Amendment protects individuals in the United States from unreasonable search and seizure—of themselves or their property—by governmental agencies without probable cause, or reasonable belief that the individual committed a crime.

The law generally requires officers to obtain court-issued search warrants—which must be based on probable cause that can be shown to a judge—before performing searches and seizures of individuals and their property. These warrants are generally required in situations where there is a reasonable expectation of person’s privacy (such as when the person’s property is in his or her vehicle and is not in plain view). When using search warrants, officers must restrict the search to the specified location and other circumstances detailed in the warrant.

If an officer does not conduct a reasonable and lawful search, any evidence the officer obtained against the defendant during that process could be deemed inadmissible in court. Mr. Siegel was able to recognize that his client’s 4th Amendment rights had been compromised and effectively take action.

Every person is entitled to have his or her Constitutional rights protected, regardless of the type of criminal charges he or she might be facing. Individuals who are dealing with criminal charges in the Las Vegas area should contact the Law Office of Chip Siegel to learn more about how they can best defend themselves against their accusers. More information about Mr. Siegel and his firm are available at http://www.LegalChip.com.