A routine traffic stop became more serious after police in Hackettstown arrested a woman and accused her of possessing drug paraphernalia. The 18-year-old New Jersey resident is facing a drug charge for this alleged infraction, as well as a traffic charge for failure to dim high beams. She is currently released from custody ahead of a court appearance that has not been announced. There is no word as to whether she has retained criminal defense counsel.
According to the report filed by the Hackettstown Police Department, around 10 p.m. the night of Dec. 6, the woman was pulled over by an officer for an alleged moving violation. The officer who approached the vehicle to speak to the driver allegedly detected the smell of what was believed to be marijuana coming from inside the car. A subsequent search revealed the woman was allegedly carrying a bong, pipe, grinder and plastic jar, all of which are believed to contain marijuana residue.
The woman was arrested on the scene and charged with possession of paraphernalia. If she is found guilty, she could face fines or even jail time. The severity of her sentence, if she is actually convicted, may partially depend on whether she has a history of drug-related charges or convictions.
This is why the woman in question will probably be represented by a criminal defense attorney during all court proceedings. The attorney’s job will be to provide her with legal advice, defend her rights throughout the court proceedings and review any and all evidence brought forth by New Jersey prosecutors. This will help the attorney to build a compelling case in her defense with a view toward achieving an optimal result.