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Drug Possession at a Music Festival

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  • 07-07-2010, 01:49 AM
    Chramboman
    Drug Possession at a Music Festival
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Tennessee

    Hello,

    I'll just cut right to the chase.

    I was at a music festival in Tennessee, I was searched and found to have 5 "tablets" of LSD. Long story short, it was taken away, and I was left with a citation. 3 weeks later, I got a letter in the mail saying I owe ~$2500. Or I can go back to Tennessee and go to court. I'm probably going to go with paying the fine. (unless it's suggested otherwise)
    "Upon paying the fine, my charges will be placed on hold for one year from the date of the citation. Conditioned on good conduct and no criminal record conviction during this period, the charge will be dismissed after a one-year period."
    Basically, my questions are A) What in the world does that mean? B) Do I need to start checking the convicted of drug possession box on applications? C) Is this considered probation? D)I live in Michigan, how would probation work? E) Can I expect this to ruin my career after graduation?
    I've never had a legal problem in my life and for the most part stay away from the whole scene. However, being in college, sometimes you do things you might not normally do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want this stupid choice I made to prohibit my the rest of my future from progressing.

    Thank you for any help
  • 07-08-2010, 05:01 AM
    tc498
    Re: Drug Possession at a Music Festival
    Maybe see if you can have a phone conversation with a local lawyer in Tn for some advice. It's sort of like probation but not exactly,stay out of trouble and after a year you would be a good. It sound like once you pay the fine you won't be covicted of anything,there always a chance that a charge but not a conviction would show up. I would probably pay the fine,speak to a lawyer or 2 in TN.
  • 07-08-2010, 01:42 PM
    jk
    Re: Drug Possession at a Music Festival
    Quote:

    A) What in the world does that mean?
    It means that if you accept the terms and are a good boy for the required time, their will be no conviction on your record for this.

    Quote:

    B) Do I need to start checking the convicted of drug possession box on applications?
    debatable. this is was is called deferred adjudication so there is technically no conviction until then end of the time period. Then, if you can followed the rules, there is no conviction then either. The problem: until the conclusion of the process, there is an open charge on your record.

    Quote:

    C) Is this considered probation?
    Not officially but the effect is the same.

    Quote:

    D)I live in Michigan, how would probation work?
    unless they impose some specific rules, this would be equivilant to unsupervised probation where there is no requirement to make reports to a PO. You just keep your ass out of ANY trouble for the year and things go away.

    Quote:

    E) Can I expect this to ruin my career after graduation?
    Not if you fulfill the requirements of the deferred adjudication. It will not be a conviction on your record if you play well with others.

    based on your situation, you were offered the best possibility short of an outright dismissal of charges. I would suggest you accept their offer. If you decide to fight the citation and lose, you will end up with a conviction on your record and based on your facts, you don't have a snowballs chance in Hell of winning.

    just make sure (by actual contact with a living breathing person) of any actions you need to take during the deferment period and any actions you might be required to take at the conclusion of the time period to finalize the case.
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