A common refrain often heard in connection with alleged criminal activity in Cranford is that the accused perpetrator “should have known better.” That statement may imply both a strong understanding of the law and also a blatant disrespect for it. However, many criminal cases may not easily fit into such a generality. There may be times when one does not understand how serious his or her actions are viewed (at least not to the point of considering them to be criminal). Then there may also be cases where cravings and perceived needs could cause one to set aside legal standards that he or she might otherwise honor in order to satisfy an addiction.
The potential lack of clarity in criminal motives may be evidenced in a recent case involving the former police chief of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department. The man resigned his position and now faces criminal charges after he supposedly tried to buy cocaine online. The package allegedly containing the cocaine was delivered to a post office box. After picking it up, the man was pulled over and subsequently arrested. He now faces the potential of serving as many as five years in prison if convicted of the charges against him.
One might say that a law enforcement officer should know better than to have drugs delivered through the mail. The fact this this man (and others in similar positions with similar knowledge) would accept such a risk may suggest a much deeper issue (such as a potential addiction). In cases where this happens to be true, asking that treatment be included in whatever criminal penalties one might face could be the key to successful rehabilitation. Those hoping to fight for this for their loved ones might want to first seek the services of an experienced attorney.
