Drug possession is one of the most serious offenses in the country. In Texas, you may face significant penalties depending on the substance in question.
However, you may be arrested for drugs that aren’t yours or were unaware you were in possession of them. As long as you have access to and control over the drugs, that’s considered “constructive” possession, so the police aren’t going to listen to your protests.
How can you avoid this? This guide provides information about things you need to pay attention to as you navigate your life so that you avoid this problem:
Be careful when you borrow a vehicle
If you borrow a car from your loved one, you should ask them to remove their belongings. It may seem intrusive to examine it for drugs. Thus, it’s easier for them to check and take anything they may have forgotten. You can find respectful ways to say this without sounding like you suspect them of wrongdoing. For example, “Would you please check if anything you need is in the car?”
Of course, you should trust a loved one — but don’t take chances. The police may stop you for a traffic offense. If they find drugs in the car, you may be in significant legal trouble that you could have avoided by asking the car’s owner to examine and remove their belongings.
Choose a roommate wisely
If the police have a search warrant for your home and find drugs, all occupants may be arrested and charged with a drug crime, particularly if the owner does not confess or at least while the police are investigating the case.
For this reason, you should be careful when choosing a roommate. Once you do, pay attention to everything happening in the house to spot unusual behaviors sooner. If you suspect that one of your roommates is holding or dealing, get out of the situation.
Understanding that you can face a drug crime for a substance that isn’t yours can help you make calculated moves with the people around you.