[Kabezon]

Hello, I am 18 years old and I live in the San Fernando Valley, California. On 5/21/08 I got a possession ticket right outside a friend's high school; another friend of mine and I were waiting for him to come out of school. We were sitting right next to the entrance waiting for the bell to ring, when this officer came out and asked us what we were doing there. She said that even though we were not inside the school, it was still school property and we were not to be there. Then she searched us and found a pack of Marlboro cigarettes in my backpack. She said I was lucky for not being charged for trespassing, and that I was only being charged for possession.

I am aware of the consequences of this, the 75 dollars, the "why tobacco is bad for you" classes, or the community service. I just wanted to know if there's anyway I could get away with it, since I was only 20 days away from turning 18, and if by any chance the judge will be flexible and let me go free of charge, or if he or she is allowed to do so. Also, I wanted to know if I need to bring a parent with me, since even though I'm already 18, I was 17 when charged. Thanks for any information, Mauro

[Mr. Knowitall]

Beg, plead, throw yourself on the mercy of the court.... But I don't know that the court will have much sympathy for you.

[Kabezon]

Well, I imagined the judge would not let me go, of course, but is he allowed to give me a different... conviction (Is this correct? English is not my mother tongue :P) I mean, I don't see the point of having me going to classes to hear about the dangers of Tobacco :S