The United States Constitution protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by requiring police to get a search warrant before a search is allowed. Under these search and seizure rules, search warrants are limited in their scope. They must specifically define where a search is taking place and what is being searched. When Oregon police are searching subject to a search warrant, they cannot legally expand their search to include other places or people.
Brothers arrested for drug possession in Portland train station
Oregon police search for drugs in a lot of different places. Depending on the circumstances of the search, police may need a warrant to search people or their belongings.
Two facing drug trafficking and manufacturing charges in Oregon
While police and prosecutors take drug use and possession seriously, criminal charges for these crimes are generally much less severe than the charges for drug manufacturing and drug trafficking. Drug charges for the manufacturing, cultivation or trafficking of drugs in Oregon are generally felonies and are subject to sentencing guidelines.
Tourists plead not guilty to drug charges following traffic stop
When police are on patrol they are often looking for people who are violating traffic laws. These routine traffic stops can include speeding, running stop signs and other minor infractions. However, once a stop occurs, police can start to look for signs that other crimes are occurring. Police will observe the driver, any passengers and anything in the open to see if there is any evidence that another crime has occurred. In some cases, police may find evidence of drug use or possession. In these cases, drug charges are likely.
Portland police search men's home following arrest
If people are arrested after police find drugs on them, criminal proceedings are likely to follow. However, police may also follow up that arrest with additional searches of the people's homes, cars and offices particularly if the people are accused of drug trafficking. If police suspect that a person may have additional contraband, they can get a warrant to carry out the additional searches.
Men face state and federal sentences for drug trafficking
Both the Oregon state and the federal United States governments have criminal courts and criminal charges. In a lot of situations, there is very little overlap between the two courts. For example, something that is punishable in state court may not even be heard in federal court. However, when it comes to drug charges, it is possible for both court systems to get involved in a case.
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