Dropping Drug Paraphernalia Charges

[olddogs]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas

A friend and I parked our car in an empty parking lot after leaving the club (we were very tired) and woke up with police cars surrounding us. They searched our car and found a pipe on me with residue in it. The officer also found less than a gram of weed but he took it and kept it for himself. When he called for back up, he just said he found a pipe with residue, no illegal substance.

Both my friend and I got a ticket, only I'm afraid of this remaining on my record and preventing me from getting a job.

I am 18 and starting college at UT Austin this fall, hoping to get a job as a physician's assistant in the future.

Will this ticket stay on my record and prevent me from going to school or getting the job I want? And if it does what do I need to do to get rid of it?

I do not live with my parents and do not have enough money for a lawyer, barely enough to pay off the ticket itself.

I heard that they watch you for 90 days after paying off the ticket so you don't get arrested...

Can I just plea no contest, get deffered, finish 90 days, pay the fine, and be dismissed?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You can consult a local lawyer, or see if there's any information on your county court or prosecutor's website, about first offense drug possession cases in your county. A deferral is often available for a first offense of simple possession.