My question involves criminal law for the state of: OHIO
I went to court today in Ashland,OH. I was ticketed for Marijuana posession, by a park ranger while canoeing on the Mohican River. The ranger found half a joint in the canoe, and nothing else. He stated it would be no big deal, just like a traffic ticket.
Unfortunatly the judge stated, this offense is punishable by up to a $250 fine and a Mandatory 1 year suspension of my driver's license. I asked for a continuance to get a laywer.
The guy before me was charged with almost the exact same offense,(posession less than 100 grams) except he was not on the river, he was in downtown Ashland. The judge found him guilty, gave him 3 days in jail, a $250 fine, and a 1 year suspension on his license. Just like me this was his first and only offense. The judge said since I was given a ticket on the river he could not give me jail time, but that it was manadatory 1 year suspesion on my DL.
Is this all correct, as everything I have read so far states this charge is just a fine. Can Ashland county really do this for such a minor offense?
Again the charge was for possesion of marijuana less than 100 grams.

