What to Do if You're Charged With Misdemeanor Drug Possession

[Secret123]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

I went to a music Festival , I was drug free so I had nothing to worry about at all while I was standing in line for a searches when a group of girls handed me a pill and ran away that I had no idea what it was. I panicked and didn't know what to do with it I couldn't drop on the floor because there was guards roaming so I decided to hide it in my shoes, I got in the venue and was going to throw it away secretly But i didn't know there was cops around me and caught taking the pill out. I never took the drug wasn't under any kind of influence what so ever I was pretty much clean. I was taken in for questioning but the cop never booked me never got my picture taken,nor my finger but i was given a notice to appear to court for a misdemeanor. I have a clean record never done anything never been arrested this was the first time I''ve ever experienced something like this in my life. I'm afraid of Jail time .. what should i do once i go to court in order to just receive community service or at least just pay a fine? and will this be on my record if i was never book and just given a court appearance notice

[cdwjava]

If you cannot afford an attorney, the court can appoint one for you. I suspect that drug treatment and counseling are in your future as part of a plea deal. But, do not agree to anything until you speak to an attorney.

And, yes, if you are convicted, this will appear on your criminal history record. If you take some form of diversion (treatment) it could be dismissed if you successfully complete a program

[KBoy420]

What was the pill? You don't say so but I'm assuming they field tested it (or it was visually identifiable). How do they even know for sure you were possessing an illegal narcotic? If you have no other criminal and you were literally found with a single pill, I don't see how jail time would be a concern at all (sure, anything is possible). Likely some sort of deferral program or ARD or counseling, maybe just a fine.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I never took the drug wasn't under any kind of influence what so ever I was pretty much clean.

Is it that you were not under the influence (totally clean), or that you were "pretty much clean"?

I was taken in for questioning... i was given a notice to appear to court for a misdemeanor.

When you were questioned, what was your story? The same (sorry... rather implausible) one you shared here?

The misdemeanor charge is what? PC Sec. 11352.1(b)? If so, with a clean record, you can try for drug diversion. You also have the right to insist that you are innocent and take your case to trial.

[qwaspolk69]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

I went to a music Festival , I was drug free so I had nothing to worry about at all while I was standing in line for a searches when a group of girls handed me a pill and ran away that I had no idea what it was. I panicked and didn't know what to do with it I couldn't drop on the floor because there was guards roaming so I decided to hide it in my shoes, I got in the venue and was going to throw it away secretly But i didn't know there was cops around me and caught taking the pill out. I never took the drug wasn't under any kind of influence what so ever I was pretty much clean. I was taken in for questioning but the cop never booked me never got my picture taken,nor my finger but i was given a notice to appear to court for a misdemeanor. I have a clean record never done anything never been arrested this was the first time I''ve ever experienced something like this in my life. I'm afraid of Jail time .. what should i do once i go to court in order to just receive community service or at least just pay a fine? and will this be on my record if i was never book and just given a court appearance notice

Why would you ever take something from a stranger? All you had to do was drop it on the ground right then and there. So what if a guard saw you drop it. It was a music festival. Lots of people. I would just say "I don't know what you're talking about" and left.

Pretty much clean? What's pretty much clean?