Massachusetts child endangerment and drug charges were brought against an
Attleboro couple according to a reporter from The Sun Chronicle .
The couple was found asleep in their vehicle with their 16 month old son in the back seat. Authorities state the couple was allegedly waiting to meet a drug dealer. According to Attleboro police officials, Gaudreau III, and Bassett, were arrested in the parking lot outside the Dollar Tree Store on Pleasant Street, according to the Sun Chronicle report.
The couple was found with heroin and prescription drugs. Drug offenses in Massachusetts were made more difficult to prove by the United States Supreme Courts' decision in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts.
The police found two hypodermic needles on the floor of their vehicle and another was found in the pocket of Gaudreau's sweatpants. Paraphernalia with alleged heroin residue and brown liquid was also found. Bassett was in possession of 11 pills consisting of the prescription drugs of Suboxone and Diazapan.
To prove a drug possession charge in Massachusetts according, the Commonwealth must prove the following elements, that the defendant possessed an illegal drug, meaning that the defendant had the ability to exercise dominion and control over it and that it meets the legal definition under Massachusetts drug laws, which requires the Commonwealth to call a chemist or expert to testify as to the identity of a particular drug.
Gaudreau was ordered held in jail without bail for a probation violation hearing. When a defendant is on probation for criminal charges and commits a new offense, a judge can order a defendant held without bail pending the probation violation hearing. Given the seriousness of the new charges, it is not surprising that Gaudreau was held.
Bassett was ordered held in jail on $2,500 cash bail. The child was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital for an exam and placed in the custody of the State Department of Children and Families, according to the reporter. In addition to being charged with possession of heroin and unlawful possession of prescription pills, both also face child endangerment charges . The Attleboro couple is due back in court on February 7, 2012.
Michael Delsignore is an Attleboro criminal lawyer who represents clients facing drug possession, as well as other misdemeanors and felony offenses.
You can arrange for an office appointment at Attorney DelSignore office located at 7 North Main Street, within walking distance to the court.
