When it rains, it pours when it comes to the unfortunate circumstances for former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield. He has recently been charged with three counts of possessing property stolen from businesses and a fourth charge of obtaining property by false pretense.

According to the indictment, Mayfield was in possession of stolen goods from three companies including a sofa, love seat and other furniture when officers raided his home last November. At the time of the raid, Mayfield was also charged with possessing 1.5 grams of methamphetamine and $100,000 worth of items taken from other businesses.

Mayfield, 42, has been in legal trouble since May 2009 when NASCAR suspended him for failing a random drug test at Richmond International Raceway. He is trying to appeal this decision and believes that his reinstatement as a NASCAR driver should be heard by the courts. He feels that the drug test he took was flawed and did not take into consideration the medication that he was taking at the time. He claims that Claritin-D and the prescription medication Adderall led to the positive test result and that he should be reinstated.

While we don't know how this case will turn out, anyone facing similar charges should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss the charges and figure out an effective defense. Charges like Mayfield are facing can have a lasting impact on a person's life and the consequences could be serious.

Since Mayfield's suspension, he has faced judgments against him in excess of $2 million for failing to pay bills, $109,000 if property taxes and is facing foreclosure on his property.

Source: USA Today, "Suspended NASCAR driver Mayfield faces new charges," Feb. 21, 2012