Even when an individual takes precaution to avoid legal issues, they could still be accused of committing a crime. Although a misdemeanor is considered a lesser crime, it still carries serious penalties. A defendant should not take these allegations lightly and should be sure to address the situation appropriately to clear their name or reduce the penalties or consequences that the charges have on their life.
After a report of illegal firework use, Oregon authorities were dispatched to a residential address in Redmond. According to reports, the man suspected of setting off fireworks illegally also had a large amount of illegal fireworks in his garage.
Upon further investigation, police discovered that the suspect had an ad on craigslist offering to sell various types of fireworks. Although the man noted that they were not permitted for use in the state of Oregon, the 31-year-old man failed to realize that it is also illegal to sell these fireworks in the state.
This led to the arrest of the man and the seizure of his illegal fireworks. The man was cited for one count of use, possession and sales of illegal fireworks, which is considered a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted, the man could face a fine and even jail time.
Following an arrest and a misdemeanor charge, a defendant should become knowledgeable about their situation so that they can make intelligent decisions regarding their defense. This could mean questioning the procedures conducted by the police during the search and seizure. If they failed to make a lawful search or arrest, the defendant could use that information to exclude evidence from the case against them. This could lead to dropped or reduced charges.
Understanding defense options is an important step after being charged. If the process is not clear to the accused, then they should seek advice about how they can fight the allegations. Anyone accused of a misdemeanor or other crime is entitled to a defense and they should understand how to initiate their defense strategy.
Source: KTVZ, "Redmond man charged with selling illegal fireworks," Barney Lerten, July 3, 2014
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