Legal Issues in Controlled Substance Defense
While the defense of “innocent possession” is not expressly stated in the Utah criminal code, it is a valid defense that has been recognized by Utah’s appellate courts in drug and controlled substance cases.
Mounting a successful innocent possession defense requires a thorough understanding of relevant case law, and can involve complicated factual issues. When successfully presented, innocent possession can serve as a complete defense to a drug charge, resulting in dismissal of charges or a not guilty verdict at trial.
Elements of an Innocent Possession Defense
As a general rule, a prosecutor must prove knowing and intentional possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia in order to obtain a conviction in a Utah drug case. But even if the evidence is sufficient to prove knowing and intentional possession, the principles of innocent possession can still provide the basis for a complete defense.
The Utah Supreme Court acknowledged the validity of an innocent possession defense in the case of State v. Miller (2008 UT 61). The defendant in Miller had been convicted of two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance. The defendant appealed the trial court’s refusal to give the jury a requested instruction on innocent possession. The Supreme Court ultimately acknowledged the validity of an innocent possession defense, and reversed the convictions.
The instruction originally requested in Miller had its origins in a opinion from the Court of Appeals addressing the concept of innocent possession in the context of a charge for possession of firearms.
The Utah Supreme Court modified the elements of this defense slightly to fit the context of a controlled substance possession charge, ultimately holding that the defense of innocent possession applies if:
- the controlled substance was obtained innocently and held with no illicit or illegal purpose; and
- the possession of the controlled substance was transitory.
In defining what is meant by the term “transitory,” the court stated that this requires a defendant to take adequate measures to rid himself of possession of the controlled substance as promptly as reasonably possible.
Application of the Innocent Possession Defense
An innocent possession defense can apply in both actual possession and constructive possession cases. Whether drugs are found in a person’s immediate and actual possession, or police find evidence indicating an intent and ability to exercise control over the drugs (constructive possession), principles of innocent possession can provide a complete defense to a drug charge. Consider the following hypothetical case:
Arthur has suspected for some time that his son Bob has been experimenting with prescription pills that Bob has been purchasing from friends he has met at the local college campus. Arthur arrives home early one day, and finds a variety of pills in a baggie on the kitchen table. Arthur grabs the pills, intending to take them to the local police department's medication disposal program site.
While driving to the police station, Arthur is stopped by a police officer for a minor traffic violation. During the course of the traffic stop, the officer notices the bag of pills sitting on the passenger seat. The officer asks Arthur what is in the bag, and Arthur responds that they are pills he got from his son. The officer asks Arthur if he has a prescription for the pills, and Arthur says no.
The officer then asks Arthur to step out of the vehicle, and proceeds to put Arthur in handcuffs. Arthur protests, stating that he had obtained the pills solely for the purpose of disposing of the pills. The officer does not believe Arthur, completes the arrest process by booking Arthur into jail, and submits the case to the prosecuting attorney's office for the filing of formal charges.
This hypothetical presents one of the key issues involved in many innocent possession cases – the credibility of the defendant. In this hypothetical, the police officer did not believe Arthur’s claim that he had taken possession of the pills only for the purpose of guaranteeing proper disposal. But if a jury finds the story credible, or if the jury is left with reasonable doubt regarding the elements of innocent possession, a not guilty verdict should be rendered.
Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer
Contact us today to arrange for an initial confidential consultation.