The spread of fentanyl has been devastating to many communities across Canada. Police have been working hard to stop the trafficking of this drug. While this work is important, a recent case in Ottawa, Ontario, shows that jumping to conclusions with drug charges can have serious consequences.
An Ottawa man lost his home when he was wrongly accused of dealing fentanyl. The case, which is making headlines across Ontario, began when police raided the man's apartment in April after receiving a complaint. They discovered a powdered substance in a closet and proceeded with drug charges against the occupant, who was held in jail pending trial.
Lab results showed that the powder was makeup belonging to the accused man's girlfriend. While drug charges were eventually withdrawn, the man reports that damage had already been done to his personal life. After making bail, he was evicted from his public housing unit for allegedly selling fentanyl. News organizations also used his name in reports about the charges. Although he was eventually cleared of all charges, he is now concerned about his housing and job prospects following the incident.
Drug charges and other criminal charges can have serious consequences for the accused, especially in cases like this where an individual is found innocent. Understanding one's rights before, during and after an investigation and trial is important for anyone dealing with such accusations. An Ontario criminal defense lawyer can help a person understand the charges before him or her and prepare a response to allegations.
Source: Ottawa Citizen, "Adam: Why the Ottawa police owe Royston Christie an apology", Mohammed Adam, Aug 10, 2017
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