Time limit for arrest after search and seizure?

[ibnatasha2u]

What is the name of your state? Washington

Is there a time limit for a cop to arrest someone after they search the person, find illegal drugs, and let them go?
if 30 days have past since a person is stopped and searched, but the cop lets them go even after finding dope on them can the cop come back and still arrest that person?What is the name of your state?

[racer72]

Charges and an ensuing arrest can take place up to 2 years after the fact. In a case such as you presented, it is likely there will be no arrest, your "person" will likely recieve a citation in the mail.

[CavemanLawyer]

How long the State can take to file charges after the offense occurred depends on that state's statute of limitations placed on that crime. In Washington the statute of limitations for a felony drug charge is 3 years. If the possession crime is a gross misdemeanor than the limitations period is 2 years, and a regular misdemeanor the limitation is 1 year. You'd have to be more specific about the level of offense to know which period applies. If they didn't arrest you on the spot than chances are pretty good that this wasn't a felony offense.

[CdwJava]

The probable cause for an immediate warrantless arrest will have disappeared by now. But, they can certainly seek a warrant to come back an arrest you later so long as it is within the SOL as previously provided.

- Carl

[amlebede]

If they wanted to arrest the person, they would do it immediately. There are too many minor drug violations in the US for them to be remembering what happened a while ago.

[ibnatasha2u]

well almost 5 months have gone by.... the illegal drugs were meth. the cop talked the person into giving up other meth users/dealers...... he has complied, the cop is still telling him to give him more names... since he has complied can the cop keep threatening him? or is he just taking this as far as he can? If the person quits working for the cop can he still be arressted now?

by the way the person has been clean for the last 4 months and has gotten a real job.

[CdwJava]

CAN he be charged and arrested? Sure. Will his defense attorney have a field day with the whole thing if he is - even after he complied with the police? Yes.

Your friend (or, you) needs to consult an attorney so that they cannot keep stringing him (you) along. An attorney can help put an end to the whole thing.

- Carl

[ibnatasha2u]

Thank You Carl I will tell him this....and no its not me....