NORTH CAROLINA CRIMINAL SENTENCE REDUCED AFTER KILO OF COCAINE FOUND IN SUSPECT’S CAR

RELEASED: APRIL 23, 2011

RALEIGH, NC – A North Carolina man received a greatly reduced sentence as a result of the strong defense work of criminal attorney Patrick Roberts at the Roberts Marcilliat & Mills PLLC PLLC. After officers discovered a kilogram of cocaine in the man’s car during a traffic stop, the man was facing up to 175 to 219 months in prison or about 18 years. Instead, he was sentenced to only 35 to 42 months.

While the Roberts Marcilliat & Mills PLLC PLLC client is serving about three years in prison, his co-defendants – the other man in the same car and the alleged leader of the conspiracy – are serving about seven years in prison. Patrick Roberts‘ client also chose not to cooperate with prosecutors and the police officer, but still received a reduced sentence in a Sampson County court.

In this case, there was another man in the car where the cocaine was found. Criminal attorney Patrick Roberts aggressively fought on behalf of his client to challenge the facts of the case that implicated his client. He argued that the kilo of cocaine could have belonged to the other occupant of the car.

In a criminal defense case like this, it is important that the criminal lawyer actively argue to challenge the weaknesses in the Assistant District Attorney’s (ADA) case because it can significantly reduce the charges or the sentence. Certain weaknesses, such as evidentiary holes or witness credibility issues, may even prompt the ADA to drop the charges all together. That’s why a criminal lawyer who takes the time to understand the facts surrounding the arrest is extremely important.

Drug crimes are heavily prosecuted in North Carolina. After someone is arrested for drug possession, the individual may face state or federal drug crime charges. State charges in North Carolina include drug possession, drug possession with the intent to sell and drug distribution.

Federal drug crime charges generally stem from an incident where the person is also in possession of a weapon or gun. High quantities of certain drugs as determined by federal guidelines may also lead to federal drug crime charges.

DISCLAIMER: The cases, facts and outcomes discussed in this press release are illustrative of the matters handled by the firm. Actual case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Not all of the firm’s case results are included on this site. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or law firm’s past result because prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome..

For more information about the Roberts Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, see the criminal defense website and criminal defense blog. Patrick Roberts is a skilled criminal attorney who defend against sex crime charges, DWI charges and abuse charges, among others in Raleigh. To contact criminal lawyer Patrick Roberts, please contact the law firm or call 919-838-6643 for a free consultation. Roberts Marcilliat & Mills PLLC can also be followed on Facebook at facebook.com/nc.criminal.defense.

North Carolina v. J.S.
Accusation: Indecent Exposure
Potentially Facing: 30 days in Jail
Result: Case Dismissed

Roberts Marcilliat & Mills PLLC acted quickly, meeting with the DA’s office to mitigate on behalf of their client, who had no prior criminal history. The Defendant had cooperated fully with the officer. At defense counsel’s prompting, the ADA spoke with his Law Enforcement Officers and determined that Defendant had been through enough already. Dismissed on the first court date.

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