Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Sanchez v. State

Although the substance police found in a baggie in the defendant's pocket was unidentifiable, the trial court properly admitted the evidence at the defendant's methamphetamine trafficking trial, as it was packaged and looked like the positively-identified methamphetamine police found in the defendant's car and was thus relevant to the issue of whether he committed the offense.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

After a jury trial, Rafael Sanchez was convicted for trafficking in methamphetamine. He argues that the trial court erred in allowing evidence that police found an unidentified substance in his pocket at the time of his arrest. Because the evidence was relevant to whether Sanchez committed the trafficking offense, we find no error and affirm.

Viewed most favorably to the verdict, the evidence showed that, working with a confidential informant, law enforcement officers arranged to purchase two ounces of methamphetamine from a person named David. That person arrived at the designated spot for the transaction driving a car owned by Sanchez, who was the front seat passenger; a third person was in the back seat. Law enforcement officers arrested the three persons in the car, searched the car, and found two ounces of an off-white substance in two baggies inside a flashlight that was on the back seat floorboard. Subsequent testing identified this substance as methamphetamine. An officer also searched Sanchez incident to his arrest and found in his front pocket a similar baggie containing a white, granulated substance that the officer suspected to be methamphetamine. Subsequent testing did not determine the identity of this substance but revealed that it was “negative for common drugs of abuse.”

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Consulting Best Firms to Work For 2024
September 12, 2024
New York, NY

Consulting Magazine identifies the best firms to work for in the consulting profession.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Marketing Coordinator / Business Development

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY Pulsar Title Insurance Company Inc., a commercial and residential title insurance underwriter based in the Bato...


Apply Now ›
Juvenile Dependency Attorney II/III/IV

RECRUITMENT BONUS Newly hired employees from this recruitment may be eligible to receive bonus payments up to $3,000!* FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE: ...


Apply Now ›
Litigation Counsel - Multiple Offices

Morristown, NJ; New York, NY Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening in multiple offices for a Counsel in our Litigation Department. The ...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements