> being near a crime ISN’T ENOUGH TO GET SOMEONE ARRESTED!

It absolutely can be for some people in the very common scenario of being on probation. Typically, probation orders forbid people from being around illegal activities and criminals. The scenario above could be used directly or as an aggravator to revoke probation and bring charges.

Sure, they could likely try to appeal or plead their case that they were visiting their family a few doors down and unrelated to the drug bust, but that’s going to take time before you get in front of a judge. In the meantime, the probation officer already revoked the probation and the person is in jail.