I was sitting on the bleachers at a public school in my neighborhood with three friends smoking marijuana (horrible idea). Cops came up to us found one joint lite and another joint in my pocket. They immediately put me in handcuffs and shortly after put one of my friends in handcuffs when he claimed the joint that was lite, The cops let my other two friends go. Neither my friend and I was told our Miranda rights while being arrested. We had about less then one gram of marijuana rolled up within two joints. Within 4-5 hours of being fingerprinted and taking mug shots we were released with a Desk Appearance Ticket. Besides a speeding ticket in another state (about 8 months ago) and a summons for being in Central Park to late bike riding (about 3-4 months ago), this is a first time offense and the first time I have ever been arrested. Before leaving the station the cops told me that the case should be dismissed because our records are clean.

I'm 19 years old and I've never been in a situation like this. What should I do? Should I hire a lawyer? What will most likely be our consequence? My main concern is that we both have jobs that required us to get fingerprinted. After this incident our fingerprints were taken and it's clear that we have some sort of record. Should I inform my job or just lay low and hope nothing comes up? What are the chances of my job actually finding out? Do you think after our case as been settled they will fax the information to our jobs stating we've been arrested? The officers said that this shouldn't affect my job but I don't trust there judgement.


I really need help on both ends, figuring out the status of my job and what they will likely charge us with come the day of the Desk Appearance.


Thanks.