First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Ohio
My offense happened yesterday roughly 6:30 PM eastern time. Me and my close buddy were on the road leaving from school to visit some other fraternity brothers at another school Ohio University. My buddy was speeding in his car to attract the police, 20-30 MPH over the speed limit, not knowing "I" had marijuana on me. I am a very disciplined student, very honest, humble, and hard working young man in every facet of my life, not indulging in these types of activities but maybe 4-6 times per year, don't smoke at all really, considering the fact that I am from California and in a location I am currently living in (WV, OH, etc.), where everyone does it. We proceed to get pulled over, I confess that I had a joint on me, from which I had not smoked, and he proceeded to search the car. He doesn't find anything else in the car, and gives us our tickets.
We are two African American males, and he was very strict highway patrol officer, kind of searching to find more reasons to put us in jail and etc. He finds a registration paper, claims that it does not match up to my friend's insurance and etc. I'm not sure the accuracy of his claims, but this was the type of guy he was, very strict by the book, kind of nerdy, the type that might have gotten picked on in school, or nervous, or geeky, or whatever; may have been suspicious of minorities, even if they are classy and distinguished. I don't know if this plays a factor, but I'm trying to paint a picture. The other officer that comes to help is laid back, asking us questions, conversing with us, perhaps trying to keep us calm or is just a talkative person, either way, a cool guy, I believe had looked out for us regarding the registration if my buddy indeed didn't have his paperwork correct, I'm not sure because I was busy praying that we don't go to jail in another state, when are both out of state students! When the 1st officer comes back to the police vehicle and proceeds to explain the ticket to me, he claims, "minor misdemeanor tickets will STAY and SHOW on my record for my lifetime!" Today I read several other PAST forums 2009-11, stating that they are wiped off once they are handled. I have several questions:
(1) Would it be a waste of time to come to court and contest? I don't have my license on me out here, lost it in California, and he kept my previous one from which was taken because it was expired. So I have no way of obtaining a new license. I now have to look into a West Virginia license, I don't know the ramifications about this ticket effecting that. This may mess with depositing checks and etc. I don't need this silly issue to mess with my money, when I don't have a job already. I am an RA, and need every dime I can get...My apperance is set for the 1st week of April
(2) Does this offense stick and show to my record? The officer claims that it DOES, reading previous forums, it DOESN'T.
(3) Are there any alternatives, if so, are they even worth it? I cannot afford a lawyer, only a provided, if that even can apply to my situation. My school is perhaps 1-1hr 15 mins away from the location, which is a lot of driving for something that will probably end up still a full ticket. Do you think the officer would show? Would the misdemeanor get wiped? I would envision him showing, looking at how he carried himself.
Re: First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
"I don't need this silly issue to mess with my money"
- You should have thought of that before.
- You have money for college, bring a frat brat, and drugs, and admit you have money....so you can afford to hire a lawyer.
"Classy and distinguished" people do not do stuff like this:
- "My buddy was speeding in his car to attract the police, 20-30 MPH over the speed limit
- They don't carry illegal drugs.
- They have not lost their drivers license in one state; have one expired in another; and need another in another state so they don't have to worry about depositing checks.
- Speaking of depositing checks...you're unemployed....so what? are you dealing? Or is Mom and Day paying your way?
- Oh..and Classy and Distinguished people...don't play the race card.
Your buddy was breaking the law in doing 20-30 over with the intent of getting his ass pulled over. You had marijuana and an expired ID on you. It's not the white man holding you down...it is YOU holding you down.
Re: First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
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Quote:
Quoting
PandorasBox
"I don't need this silly issue to mess with my money"
- You should have thought of that before.
- You have money for college, bring a frat brat, and drugs, and admit you have money....so you can afford to hire a lawyer.
"Classy and distinguished" people do not do stuff like this:
- "My buddy was speeding in his car to attract the police, 20-30 MPH over the speed limit
- They don't carry illegal drugs.
- They have not lost their drivers license in one state; have one expired in another; and need another in another state so they don't have to worry about depositing checks.
- Speaking of depositing checks...you're unemployed....so what? are you dealing? Or is Mom and Day paying your way?
- Oh..and Classy and Distinguished people...don't play the race card.
Your buddy was breaking the law in doing 20-30 over with the intent of getting his ass pulled over. You had marijuana and an expired ID on you. It's not the white man holding you down...it is YOU holding you down.
1 actually I pay my way through college buddy "I" do. Before you start commenting and slandering my name. I am an "RA" which is "residential assistant" which is a "job", which ONLY pays for room and board, and meals, nothing beyond that, so watch your talk and your dumb ideas.
I admit my decison was stupid, but I am looking for help, not bullshit from somebody hiding behind a computer screen, judging only what you read. You do not know me, nor the circumstances I have been through, so don't make silly assumptions.
- My buddy speeding is out of my control, I have told him about HIS habit, that has nothing to do with THIS post, nor has anything to do with me. I was stating why we got pulled over.
- I typically don't carry illegal drugs, technically legal to an extent in California, I don't use marijuanna on a typical basis, but was looking to let loose and have some fun in college. If you don't see that as a fun, that is YOUR opinion, has nothing to do with others
- And as far as classy and distinguished, race can play a facotr, assuming that you are white, you haven't dealt with things that I have observed before. I said, "if" that plays a facotr, didn't blame that for a sole reason. I have been pulled over before plenty of times at home for breaking traffic violations, and have gotten out of them. I am merely painting a picture, no need for judgement.
- I am an RA, student athlete, fraternity member or two fraternities, double major of finance and economics, participate in the community service,... watch your words, pardon that I have a balanced life. This post was not for your race views or assumptions, those are your own and your perogative. This post was simply for obtaining knowledge and advice to a situation. I am glad you made yourself look like an ass on the internet.
I don't blame ANYTHING on a white man, oriental, mexican, or whatever. We are all put here on earth to serve God's purpose, work, have fun, make babies, and to experience everything in linfe that it has to offer. I am my own man. ALL tickets are a waste of money and energy; they all could be avoided by the ticket holder
- I also hold 3 different scholarships in my name at school
- My frat brother doesn't smoke or drink, that is my prerogative, that is my ownership. Our bond is much more than a "party and socialize clique." It is a real bond, not too many people would make in to
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To whomever that may read this:
I sincerely apologize for everything else posted on here, to this point! I cannot control others and their comments or thoughts, that does not serve as for a single purpose of me posting this forum. My apologies on their behalf.
Howard
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Quote:
Quoting
PandorasBox
"I don't need this silly issue to mess with my money"
- You should have thought of that before.
- You have money for college, bring a frat brat, and drugs, and admit you have money....so you can afford to hire a lawyer.
"Classy and distinguished" people do not do stuff like this:
- "My buddy was speeding in his car to attract the police, 20-30 MPH over the speed limit
- They don't carry illegal drugs.
- They have not lost their drivers license in one state; have one expired in another; and need another in another state so they don't have to worry about depositing checks.
- Speaking of depositing checks...you're unemployed....so what? are you dealing? Or is Mom and Day paying your way?
- Oh..and Classy and Distinguished people...don't play the race card.
Your buddy was breaking the law in doing 20-30 over with the intent of getting his ass pulled over. You had marijuana and an expired ID on you. It's not the white man holding you down...it is YOU holding you down.
I can perhaps see how you got offended, that was not the intent. But you must not assume behind a computer screen. You do not know who you are speaking to, neither do I. Try and expand your views towards other selections. I am a judging person as well, but observe every angle before you POST
Re: First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
Quote:
I typically don't carry illegal drugs, technically legal to an extent in California, I don't use marijuanna on a typical basis, but was looking to let loose and have some fun in college. If you don't see that as a fun, that is YOUR opinion, has nothing to do with others
1) Mary Jane is NOT "technically legal" in California. Not for recreational purposes, anyway, which is what you're using it for. Don't be stupid.
2) YOU'RE NOT IN CALIFORNIA. California law is irrelevant here in Ohio, so shut up about California. And shut up about "having fun in college" while you're at it. I managed to have fun in college without getting busted doing anything illegal, so what's your damage?
Quote:
- I am an RA, student athlete, fraternity member or two fraternities, double major of finance and economics, participate in the community service,... watch your words, pardon that I have a balanced life. This post was not for your race views or assumptions, those are your own and your perogative. This post was simply for obtaining knowledge and advice to a situation. I am glad you made yourself look like an ass on the internet.
I don't blame ANYTHING on a white man, oriental, mexican, or whatever. We are all put here on earth to serve God's purpose, work, have fun, make babies, and to experience everything in linfe that it has to offer. I am my own man. ALL tickets are a waste of money and energy; they all could be avoided by the ticket holder
- I also hold 3 different scholarships in my name at school
- My frat brother doesn't smoke or drink, that is my prerogative, that is my ownership. Our bond is much more than a "party and socialize clique." It is a real bond, not too many people would make in to
Irrelevant. Every teeny tiny bit of it, completely irrelevant. No one cares. The only thing that's relevant is that you got busted carrying pot, which is illegal here in Ohio, and no amount of invoking "god" or "scholarship" or anything else is going to change that. Own your actions and stop whining. "Watch your words", indeed.
You happen to be in luck, though. It's a minor misdemeanor, and minor misdemeanors do NOT create a criminal record. Now, next time you get caught, this won't be the case, but for first offenders, it's like a traffic ticket - so hoist yourself up by your testicles, pay your ticket, and check to make sure you're not toting a joint before you leave the house in the future instead of sobbing like a child because you got dressed down in a public forum for acting like an entitled brat.
Re: First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
And if when you go to court...watch the "cop is white" issue.....
Re: First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
Well after you are convicted, you can likely kiss your scholarships goodbye, in addition to the job as an RA. After you finish college, by paying your own way, you are likely going to find no employer will hire you due to your drug conviction. Congratulations on proving how easy and fast someone can throw away everything they had going for them. Hire a lawyer fast.
Re: First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
If your record is clean, with no prior drug possession charges, you should see if you can get a deferred sentence. You can go to court yourself and see what is offered, or you can hire a lawyer. The grant of a deferral is at the discretion of the court, so check all of that attitude and condescension toward the officer who caught you at the door. If you get a deferral and successfully complete the sentence you won't have a conviction and will avoid a driver's license suspension.
Re: First Time Offender, Possession of Marijuana, Minor Misdemeanor Charge in Ohio
Quote:
Quoting
PandorasBox
And if when you go to court...watch the "cop is white" issue.....
Definetly won't!
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Quote:
Quoting
Mr. Knowitall
If your record is clean, with no prior drug possession charges, you should see if you can get a deferred sentence. You can go to court yourself and see what is offered, or you can hire a lawyer. The grant of a deferral is at the discretion of the court, so check all of that attitude and condescension toward the officer who caught you at the door. If you get a deferral and successfully complete the sentence you won't have a conviction and will avoid a driver's license suspension.
Thank you very much!