Printable View
I got caught with an ounce of marijuana about 2 months ago. My court date is coming up on April 2nd. The cops did not arrest us, they took the weed, my friends grinder, his scale and they left us and gave us a summons. Should i bring a lawyer for this? I am 18 years old and this is my first offense. Do i have to worry about probation or jail time? Please give me some details im really worried about this.
Dude, I can't give the legal aspects of it, but I can tell you what has worked for many a first time offender: get yourself some kind of 'treatment', or something, so that when you go before the judge your lawyer ( if you can't afford one, apply for the public defender ASAP) can say that you have reeformed--reef, get it;-)
Did you say it was a misdemeanor charge? Those are always minor--some kind of fine, or court ordered "treatment". In most states first time offenders have options to ask the judge/prosecutor for a "diversion program".
It helps to be able to look the judge in the eye and tell him/her that you acknowledge that you have/had a 'problem', and you are in some form of 'diversionary' program.
But as far as I know, weed charges are pretty minor almost everywhere except the hick states, and are almost always a monetary fine.
Oh, yeah, I forgot to ask: who got the weed ticket, and who got the scale ticket? Were you both summoned? were you both ticketed? Because if so, that splits the ounce, so you can possibly argue for splitting the charge as well;-)
I.e.: half the weed was his, and v/v so find out what the law says about that. I am presuming it is a misdemeanor--unless the cops try to charge it as a felony, and throw the scale in to make it sound like you are dealing.
But they let you go: so it is likely smal stuff.
Yes they charged us both with CPM 5, the same charge misdemeanor. it doesnt say anything about the scale or grinder. We both got the same exact summons and charge and our court date is the same. If I appear without a lawyer/PD is that a bad idea?