This post concludes and recaps our series on the handling of cases which involve the stop of a vehicle in Little Rock, Arkansas. We felt it was necessary to write on this topic due to the fact that, for obvious reasons, defendants feel that there is nothing they can do after incriminating evidence was found in their car. The truth of the matter, however, is that an accused individual will have options for ensuring that their rights remain protected. The goal of our last several articles has been to provide information which will help people to fully understand their options. It has also been our goal to provide information which will help people to make an informed decision when they are selecting a criminal defense attorney. If you require assistance then contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.
We have addressed several topics over our recent articles. Issues which we have analyzed include:
- Why police need “reasonable suspicion” to stop a vehicle
- The ability of law enforcement to search the driver of a car
- When police may make an “inventory search” of a vehicle
- Challenging the admission of evidence obtained in a vehicle search
There are several reasons why defendants need to understand these topics. First, the police may not stop a vehicle simply because they want to. They must first have reason to believe that the driver is engaging in criminal activity. Second, police may require that the driver of a vehicle exit the car for a search. The extent to which they may search the inside of the car, however, is limited. Third, officers may conduct an inventory search of impounded vehicles and this will give them the right to go through sealed containers, luggage, etc. Finally, understanding the process of an evidentiary hearing helps to ensure that things will go smoothly.
One point we have stressed through each of these articles is that search and seizure issues, such as those involved in a vehicle stop, involve complicated issues of law. It is important that you retain a criminal defense attorney with experience in handling such matters. Failing to do so can, possibly, mean that your rights will go unprotected. Our Little Rock lawyers have over twenty-five combined years of experience in handling such matters. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation. We also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff and throughout the rest of the state.