Man Late For Court Now in Jail

A 22-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of carrying marijuana in his car while running late to court in Racine.

Shaher Hisham Zaal was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Tuesday with one count of felony bail jumping and one count of possession of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. If convicted, he faces up to 6 ½ years in prison and $11,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 8:25 a.m. Monday, a Caledonia police officer was monitoring traffic on 7 Mile Road near Stanley Road when he spotted Zaal driving a Lexus with no front license plate, a temporary rear plate, illegal window tint and a missing right front turn signal cover. The officer pulled Zaal over, who had two passengers in the car and said he was in a hurry to Racine County Circuit Court where he needed to be by 9 a.m.

Zaal said his license is suspended and he has no insurance for the car. The two passengers both had valid driver’s licenses, but Zaal said he drove because he’s the only person who knew how to get to the court.

The officer then noticed bits of marijuana on Zaal’s clothing. He was asked to step out of the car and Zaal said the marijuana was probably from smoking the day before.

The officer found a Mountain Dew can in the car with a marijuana roach inside, but neither Zaal nor the passengers would admit to having owned the can.

Zaal is currently being held in Racine County Jail on $750 bond while awaiting trial.