Imagine facing 25 years in jail, accused of possessing heroin with intent to sell, and yet having no idea that you even had a scrap of drugs on you. One would think that’s a possibility on a vacation in Mexico, but not driving around in your new-to-you used van in Florida.

Crull, like potentially 80 other victims, had been approached by Martin County Sheriff’s deputy Steven O’Leary for appearing suspicious. After all, he was a long-haired young man snoozing in an old model Chevy Astro van at night with an open Budweiser can in the cup holder.

Potentially 80 Other Cases May Be Tossed

At the same time Crull felt his life was imploding, it turns out the real danger was O’Leary. The state district attorney’s office was already on to O’Leary after it turned out that three of his “positive field tests” for drugs were actually lies. The state’s regional lab found that one was just a headache powder, another was sand, and Crull’s was Tide. O’Leary was fired soon thereafter, and already 11 people have been released from jail, based on O’Leary’s faked test results. During the 11 months that O’Leary has been a sheriff in this county, he has made 80 drug arrests. It’s possible all of those arrested may now walk free based on the potentially erroneous results, and therefore creating a shadow of doubt.

The Problem With Field Tests

We don’t know yet if O’Leary had intentionally lied about test results. What we do know is that field tests on illegal drugs are often wrong.

If you are facing drug possession charges, and you think that an erroneous field test might be to blame, contact a local criminal defense attorney. These are serious charges that can change your whole life. Don’t be pressured into taking a guilty plea by a lawyer that thinks it’s in your best interest to serve less time. Only you know your best interest.

Related Resources:

  • Find a Criminal Defense Attorney Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
  • Flawed Drug Lab Tests Lead to False Confessions (FindLaw Blotter)
  • What to Do About a Corrupt Probation Officer? (FindLaw Blotter)

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